tour 11 of 12
Gladiators
Marble relief with lion and gladiator
Wild animals
(bestiae) were used in a
variety of entertainments in the arena. These ranged from the
simple presentation of exotic species (such as elephants, ostriches
and crocodiles), shows with trained performing animals, the hunting
of game, fights between professional
venatores (animal
fighters) and dangerous beasts, to the execution of criminals
condemned to die as damnati ad
bestias, thrown defenceless to the wild
animals.
The huntsmen and
animal fighters, like the gladiators, were recruited from among
prisoners of war, slaves, condemned criminals and volunteers.
However, they were inferior to the gladiators in terms of prestige
and pay.
Combat on foot
with a large and dangerous beast of prey, usually a lion, tiger,
leopard or bear, was undoubtedly the most popular variant of the
animal fight. The surviving part of this relief depicts the second
and fourth stages of a fight between a venator and a lion. The
Greek inscription may be translated: 'Second [fight] ...
fourth [fight]. He was taken away for
burial.'
By the
time this relief was carved, the venator would have fought with a
spear, probably a hunting spear held in both
hands.