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1. Organized fights between men and beasts carried on for hundreds of years after gladiators were outlawed
Even after Emperor Constantine outlawed gladiatorial fights in the year 325, gory entertainment continued for another 300 years. Above all, crowds still paid to watch humans fight beasts in so-called venationes until well into the middle of the 6th century. And, of course, gladiators continue to live on in the popular imagination. Spartacus, the most famous gladiator of all, went on to inspire everyone from German Communist revolutionaries to Soviet-era soccer clubs, not to mention artists, writers and movie directors.
Where did we find this stuff? Here are our sources:
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“How Did Gladiator Fights End?”, By N.S. Gill, ThoughtCo, October 23, 2019
“Did Female Gladiators Exist?”, BBC Culture, Natalie Haynes, 24th November 2015
“Reign of Nero ended in assisted suicide.” Daily Telegraph Australia, June 2018.
“Gladiators, Roman Sports.” Encyclopaedia Britannica.
“11 facts you may not have known about gladiators.” Oxford University Press Blog, September 2016.
“Gladiators in Ancient Rome: how did they live and die?” History Extra Magazine.
“10 places (beside Rome) where gladiators once fought.” Fodors, July 2017.
“In the footsteps of Rome’s gladiators.” The Guardian, October 2010.
Murderous Games: Gladiatorial Contests in Ancient Rome.” History Today.
“What Hollywood Got Wrong About The Gladiators Of Ancient Rome”, Verena Greb, DW, 16.09.2020