The Gladiator Mosaic

The Gladiator Mosaic

A 28 foot mosaic of gladiators in combat with different game roles.

From the 4th century AD, found in 1834 outside Rome. A large mosaic showing gladiators in different "classes". The gladiatorial games provided a spectacle of blood-sports for the masses. The gladiators were the riff-raff of the ancient social order. Some may have been slaves, urban poor, or even the literal emperor Commodus. Most gladiators were protected from death as they provided constant revenue for owners. Most of the blood that fell on the Coliseum floor were from mass animal killings, staged executions at midday, and recreation of lopsided battles with condemned serving as the losers.

Unknown

320 AD

Public Domain