Roman Gladiators Unearthed in York (UK)

[3113]

For all AH historians and archeologists including anyone looking for that plot bunny about a hunky Roman gladiator having sex with a buxom Brit while fighting off lions, tigers and bears, oh-my...

Dozens of headless skeletons excavated from a northern English building site appear to be the remains of Roman gladiators, one of whom had bites from a lion, tiger, bear or other large animal, archaeologists said Monday. Experts said new forensic evidence suggests the bones belong to the professional fighters, who were often killed while entertaining spectators.

Most of the skeletons were male and appeared stronger and taller than the average Roman, with signs of arm-muscle stress that suggest weapons training that began in the men's teenage years. The team investigating the remains said that one of the best clues was carnivore tooth marks found on the hip and shoulder of one of the skeletons.

"The presence of bite marks is one of the strongest pieces of evidence suggesting an arena connection. It would seem highly unlikely that this individual was attacked by a tiger as he was walking home," said Michael Wysocki, a lecturer in forensic anthropology and archaeology who studied the skeletons. The bites were believed to have caused the person's death, he said.

York — about 200 miles (322 kilometers) north of London — was one of the largest cities in Roman Britain, and experts believe bands of gladiators touring the Roman Empire occasionally traveled here to put on fighting shows. Wysocki said gladiators were often beheaded as an act of mercy after suffering horrific injuries during their fights. All of the skeletons were buried with pottery, animals or other offerings, suggesting they were respected people, not criminals.

Full article here.

Okay, VM, 'fess up! Any of your ancestors chew on those gladiators?

 

[rgraham666]

And we think our professional sports are serious.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Maybe. That was an awfully long time ago, though. Could be, having both Italian and Welsh families, they may have met early on in York. Of course in those days we couldn't deal with the written word very well.

 

[sr71plt]

That seems a rather long time to have to hold your breath.

 

[Carnevil9]

Q: What do you call a smiling Roman with hair between his teeth?

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A: Gladiator!

(glad he ate her, if you don't get it)

 

[Songcatcher]

Beheadings might have possibly been the cause of deaths.

 

[oggbashan]

These remains were discovered some time ago.

The original suggestion was that they were defeated supporters of one of the pretenders to be Emperor. That would be a more reasonable explanation for so many being beheaded at once.

The animal bites might indicate that they had been made a exhibition of - by being thrown to the lions - before the dead and the survivors were decapitated.

Roman Gladiators didn't usually fight animals. They fought each other in carefully staged bouts which didn't usually end in death or serious injury. Gladiators were expensively trained professionals who entertained with exhibition matches, not duels to the death. Think WWF, not bullfighting.

Criminals and traitors - Christians at times were considered to be both - could be sent into the arena to be attacked by wild animals. That was a spectacle, not a sport.

The article is a teaser for a forthcoming TV programme. The "real" truth will be revealed, perhaps that the bodies were those of people who had been executed, at the end of the programme.

Claiming that the dead were "Gladiators" might get more viewers.

Og

 

[voluptuary_manque]

The article is a teaser for a forthcoming TV programme. The "real" truth will be revealed, perhaps that the bodies were those of people who had been executed, at the end of the programme.

Claiming that the dead were "Gladiators" might get more viewers.

Og

Ah television! Ninety percent of life is marketing . . .

 

[Belegon]

These remains were discovered some time ago.

The original suggestion was that they were defeated supporters of one of the pretenders to be Emperor. That would be a more reasonable explanation for so many being beheaded at once.

The animal bites might indicate that they had been made a exhibition of - by being thrown to the lions - before the dead and the survivors were decapitated.

Roman Gladiators didn't usually fight animals. They fought each other in carefully staged bouts which didn't usually end in death or serious injury. Gladiators were expensively trained professionals who entertained with exhibition matches, not duels to the death. Think WWF, not bullfighting.

Criminals and traitors - Christians at times were considered to be both - could be sent into the arena to be attacked by wild animals. That was a spectacle, not a sport.

The article is a teaser for a forthcoming TV programme. The "real" truth will be revealed, perhaps that the bodies were those of people who had been executed, at the end of the programme.

Claiming that the dead were "Gladiators" might get more viewers.

Og

Perhaps. The article suggests that they were buried with possessions and respectfully. That seems less likely to point to criminals, although a foe that was respected might be so buried.

My first suspicion is that there is a mixture. To assume all the skeletons were of the same origin seems... hasty.

 

[jomar]

Q: What do you call a smiling Roman with hair between his teeth?

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v
v
v
v


A: Gladiator!

(glad he ate her, if you don't get it)

Trust your audience, Carnie.

 

[THROBBS]

Roman Gladiators Unearthed

Gladiator Zombies!

Glad he ate her and her and him and her and him!

 

[Verdad]

Is this where we discuss the gladiator sandals fad?

 

[3113]

Is this where we discuss the gladiator sandals fad?

Which alas (or hooray--depending on how you look at it) only works with short-shorts and mini-skirts. As I really can't get away wearing such shorts or skirts, I'm missing out on that fad

 

[Verdad]

Which alas (or hooray--depending on how you look at it) only works with short-shorts and mini-skirts. As I really can't get away wearing such shorts or skirts, I'm missing out on that fad

Yep, there's that. I'm still undecided, but there's a pair that's tugging at me!

 

[oggbashan]

Is this where we discuss the gladiator sandals fad?

Archaeologists in the UK recently found that Roman soldiers based here wore SOCKS with their gladiator-style sandals.

Shock! Horror! A Fashion faux-pas!

Og

 

[Handley_Page]

Ogg, I think you are right. Gladiators don't ring no bells with this find. Prisoners (maybe ex soldiers ?) thrown to the Lions, yes. You don't put lead shackles on a Gladiator's legs (or would you ?)

 

[ishtat]

Wasn't Constantine declared Emperor at York? I recollect a statue of him near the Minster though it's two or three years since I last saw it.

His claim to be Emperor was disputed by several (including Maxentius?) so maybe these bodies had something to do with those disputes.

 

[stephen55]

The Romans were in York for about three hundred years. It's not surprising that dozens of headless skeletons with animal bite marks have been found.

I've read that some gladiators did fight animals; bestianii, beast fighters. Also, I've read that gladiators were often part of Roman armies.

In any event, a lot of gladiators died in the arena. Also, a lot of condemned prisoners, those judged unfit for living (read nuisance to the powers that be) and prisoners of war also died in the arena. Some fought and others were tossed to the beasts.

That said, I have my own take on these skeletons. Knowing the fighting might of the Roman Legions, my guess is that these few dozen skeletons represent the only Picts (read Scots) that the Romans were able to defeat in battle!!

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Yup, that's why they built Hadrian's Wall. Those crazy blue guys were a PITA!

 

[egelante]

Archaeologists in the UK recently found that Roman soldiers based here wore SOCKS with their gladiator-style sandals.

Shock! Horror! A Fashion faux-pas!

Og

When in Britain...

 

[THROBBS]

So all them dudes gave head, eh?
Amazing what modern technology reveals.

 

[JackLuis]

Archaeologists in the UK recently found that Roman soldiers based here wore SOCKS with their gladiator-style sandals.

Shock! Horror! A Fashion faux-pas!

Og

But were they Argyle socks?

 

[stephen55]

But were they Argyle socks?

UGGGG....

The word is spelled...Argyll...

 

[TxRad]

UGGGG....

The word is spelled...Argyll...

Thank you for the spelling correection. I couldn't have slept another night wondering about the spelling of argyle. At least that's the way my spell checker spells it.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I think it's one of those 'theatre/theater' kind of things.