Harry's Blog

I read an interesting story over at The Times today regarding Roman Gladiatorial battles. A study of the bones of 60+ gladiators suggests that combat wasn't as brutal as we might imagine, with contests adhering to rules strictly controlled by a referee. The research also suggests that mortally wounded gladiators were put out of their misery by a hammer blow to the head.

Although most gladiators wore helmets, ten of those tested had died of a hammer-like injury to the side of the head. It is likely that these injuries were inflicted after the fight — possibly by a backstage executioner who administered the coup de grâce. This individual would have had the grim task of killing those gladiators who were already mortally wounded, using a hammer.

Kathleen Coleman, of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who was the historical consultant on Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, agreed with the findings.

Dr Coleman told New Scientist: “The fact that none of the gladiators’ skulls was subjected to a repeated battering does seem to confirm that discipline was exercised in gladiatorial combat and its aftermath.”

You can read the full story right here at The Times Online.