Roman gladiators and the dramatization of gladiator events by Hollywood/movies

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

The Roman gladiators, whose name has been derived from the ancient Roman sword, "gladius", were the one who were prisoners of war, slaves or they belonged to those who were condemned to death. The idea of gladiatorial fights or Etruscan origin from the old custom, where human sacrifice was made to pay homage to the dead. These gladiators were trained in special schools, which were known, as Ludi which were found as amphitheatres throughout the empire. Gladiators in ancient Rome were both amateur and professional boxers, which entered into bloody battles to entertain thousands of spectators. All the above mentioned sources and justification indicate that Gladiator seeking the thrill and intensity over realism, and the script would not be a work of history but a historical novel.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the study1

Significance of the Study1

Research Aim2

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW3

Origin of Gladiators3

Famous Roman gladiators4

Dramatization of gladiator events5

Gladiator Events9

The origins of Latin theater9

The theater in Rome12

Origin of games in Rome13

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY16

Data Collection Technique16

Secondary Research16

Search Technique19

Literature Search19

Inclusion and exclusion criteria21

Additional Online searches21

Validity22

Reliability23

Ethical Considerations23

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS24

Gladiators in Rome24

Dramatization of Gladiator Events26

Events of Gladiators27

Gladiator portrayed in movies28

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION32

END NOTES33

BIBLIOGRAPHY35

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

The Roman gladiators, whose name has been derived from the ancient Roman sword, "gladius", were the one who were prisoners of war, slaves or they belonged to those who were condemned to death. History shows free men were attracted by the rewards and glory, but anyone who chooses to become a gladiator was automatically considered "infamous" for the law. It was assumed that the gladiatorial shows originate from distant funeral ceremonies celebrated by human sacrifice to appease the wrath of the gods infernal, and the restlessness of the dead. The wrestlers followed a hard training in the schools founded by Nero and Caesar in which they were subjected to torture and an order imposed by the repeated use of corporal punishment with fire and the whip. The discipline was hard, with strict rules and harsh penalties in order to make the Roman gladiators of the real fighting machines. At the end of the training period, all the gladiators were grouped into "companies" the exclusive property of the emperor.

Significance of the Study

Importance of gladiators has been well documented in numerous historical accounts of ancient Rome. Gladiators in ancient Rome included both amateur and professional fighters who have entered into bloody battles to entertain thousands of spectators Romans. These games were held in the infamous gladiatorial arena or amphitheater that was commonly found ...