The Conversation - Gladiators, vanity and self-restraint

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In Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” films, the hulking figures of Maximus and Lucius are heroes who overthrow corrupt emperors and restore the Roman republic.

But how did actual Romans view gladiators and their physiques?

Wake Forest University classics professor John M. Oksanish dives into the contrast between Hollywood’s portrayal of the fighters and ancient Roman attitudes toward them. Drawing on the rhetoric of Cicero – a staunch defender of the republic – Oksanish explores how gladiators were often derided as emblems of tyranny and self-indulgence rather than celebrated as paragons of virtue.

Whether it was pushing back against Catiline’s coup or pillorying Mark Antony’s excesses, Roman politicians and philosophers made unflattering comparisons to gladiators to skewer opponents and shape public opinion.

This week we also liked stories about a technique for avoiding whale collisions with ships, the Native American prima ballerina Maria Tallchief, and lesbian escorts in Japan.

Nick Lehr

Arts + Culture Editor

Paul Mescal as Lucius in ‘Gladiator II.’ Paramount

To some ancient Romans, gladiators were the embodiment of tyranny

John M. Oksanish, Wake Forest University

Politicians like Cicero saw gladiators as vain and self-indulgent, while the true warriors engaged in wars of words.

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The Conversation News Quiz 🧠

  • The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz

    Fritz Holznagel, The Conversation

    Here’s the first question of this week’s edition:

    In a boost to Ukraine's morale, news reports say that the Biden administration has now authorized the country to do what?

    1. A. Use F-16s to attack North Korean troops
    2. B. Deploy M1 Abrams tanks on Russian soil
    3. C. Fire ATACMS missiles deeper into Russian territory
    4. D. Borrow America's Netflix password

    Test your knowledge

 
 
 
 

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