Now this is an interesting discovery.

Scientists believe they have for the first time identified an ancient graveyard for gladiators.

Analysis of their bones and injuries has given new insight into how they lived, fought and died.

The remains were found at Ephesus in Turkey, a major city of the Roman world, BBC Timewatch reports.

Gladiators were the sporting heroes of the ancient world. Archaeological records show them celebrated in everything from mosaics to graffiti.

Motifs of gladiators are found on nearly a third of all oil lamps from Roman archaeological digs throughout the Empire.

But how much did they risk every time they stepped into the arena? Did they have much chance of getting out alive?

The discovery of what is claimed to be the first scientifically authenticated gladiator graveyard has given researchers the opportunity to find out.

The information gleaned so far shows that most gladiators died of injuries sustained in the arena, usually by the time they were in their thirties. Wounds were consistent with those that would be expected from the weapons depicted in Roman artwork, but there was also evidence of gladiators receiving medical care, as indicated by healed injuries.

There is a BBC documentary on this, and I canÂ’t wait for it to be shown in the US. Anyone now when it will be picked up by one of the cable channels.

Posted by: Greg at 11:14 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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