1. Is this mosaic from Italy in the fourth century AD a primary or secondary source? Give reasons for your answer.
2. What details about gladiators can we learn from this mosaic? 3. Who today might have a profile similar to that of gladiators during Roman times? Give reasons for your answer.
There were three main types of gladiator: 1. The Thracian was armed with a round shield and scimitar (a sword with a curved blade). 2. The Retiarius had a net, a dagger and a trident. 3. The Samnite had a rectangular shield, short sword and visor.
Depending on how a gladiator fought and how popular he was, a losing gladiator could ask the emperor to spare his life. There is little evidence to say that the emperor listened to the crowd and then gave him either a thumbs-up if he was to be spared or a thumbs-down if he was to be killed. The day-long gladiatorial festivals were bloody and cruel but were also hugely popular among the Romans.