30. Dreaming of gladiators was seen as a sign – and could be a good way of seeing who you would marry one day
For many gladiatorial aficionados, provocatores were the coolest of all fighters. Their name literally meant ‘challengers’ and they were deemed to be the best fighters. These men would often be saved for big set-piece battles, including re-enactments of the Empire’s most famous victories. As with other classes of gladiator, provocatores would usually fight one another, guaranteeing a fine show for the crowds. According to Roman superstitions, any young man who dreamed he was fighting such a gladiator was destined to marry a beautiful woman, but one that loved to flirt with others.