Alexander Meddings
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Flexible TravelGladiatorial contests were among the most popular forms of entertainment in republican and imperial Rome, and gladiators were rivalled only by charioteers in the riches with which they were rewarded. While our literary sources leave much to be desired in describing gladiatorial combat, gladiators appear elsewhere if you know where to look: mentioned in celebratory graffiti, inscriptions, and artistic artefacts.
Since the emergence of their profession in the obscure history of the Roman Republic, gladiators have occupied a special place in the popular imagination. But it was only in the last hundred years or so that their status has made its way into the mainstream — thanks largely to films like Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus (1960) and Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000) and Gladiator II (2024), influenced by earlier artworks like Jean-Léon Gérôme's 1872 painting Pollice Verso (featured top of page).
Due to these representations, figures like the gladiator-turned-rebel Spartacus and the megalomaniacal emperor Commodus are now considered arena legends, but other gladiators also enjoyed fame in their own time. So let's step back to the time of the Roman Empire and learn about its gladiators.
Flamma was the most infamous and dreaded gladiator to fight in the Colosseum, even declining multiple offers to be released from servitude. Seemingly destined for gladiatorial glory, Flamma enjoyed an incredible record of 21 victories, nine draws, and four defeats, armed with just a sword and shield in his role as a secutor.
Fourth-century mosaic showing a retarius (net-fighter) fighting a secutor (armed with sword and shield)
That Flamma was defeated on four occasions tells you something we often overlook about gladiatorial combat: that defeat at the hands of one's enemy seldom spelt death. In reality, it was rare for a gladiator to perish in the arena, not least because regularly having to replace and retrain them would have wrought financial ruin upon their owners.
When, as Suetonius tells us, gladiators would chant Ave, Caesar, morituri te salutant ("Hail Caesar, those who are about to die salute you") upon entering the arena, this was probably done more for dramatic effect than in expectation of their imminent death.
Flamma was unbeatable for 13 years thanks to his brutal combat techniques and abilities. He spent the first years of his life as a Syrian soldier despite being a slave. He was a fierce warrior who excelled at gladiatorial school, commanding respect from his peers. Flamma spent the remainder of his life as a loyal gladiator.
When Spiculus first stepped out into the arena, more than just the spectators were impressed. He defeated veteran gladiator Aptonetus, a free Roman who had attended Capua's gladiator school, shockingly ending his 16-match winning streak. This made Nero, the notorious Roman emperor, sit up and take note of the young Spiculus, and the tyrant his gladiator soon grew close.
Unusually for a slave, Spiculus was granted the status of landowner. He also happened to be one of the few slave owners who employed other slaves. Nero lavished his champion with gifts and celebrations, but when an uprising in 68 AD brought an end to Nero's rule, Spiculus' fortunes turned.
Nero had hoped his friend could put him to death, but his guards were unable to locate Spiculus. Instead, Nero killed himself, stabbing himself in the neck in a villa outside the city walls, and the rebels obliterated his statues and used them to murder Spiculus.
The golden era of the Roman Empire (known as the pax romana) came to an end during the chaotic reign of the emperor Commodus. Ruling from 180 to 192 AD, Commodus was the first emperor to inherit the throne from his father, Marcus Aurelius, who you might remember as the gentle, white-haired emperor from Ridley Scott's Gladiator.
Notorious for being harsh, vulgar, and cruel, Commodus even made the iconic Hercules lion skin appearance and claimed to be the hero's reincarnation.
Commodus, sometimes known as one of the mad emperors, entered the renowned Colosseum 732 times to engage in combat with beasts and other gladiators. Commodus always ensured he had the upper hand, taking on captive gladiators or injured animals with just wooden swords. But when he was killed in 192 AD, he received his just desserts.
The merciless emperor Commodus is remembered in popular culture today, particularly in Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of him in the movie Gladiator from 2000.
While most gladiators engaged in combat with other gladiators, some gained notoriety by engaging in animal fights in the renowned Colosseum. Carpophorus, a legendary gladiator, was known for risking his life to fight wild beasts for the general populace's entertainment.
Carpophorus stunned spectators on the first day in the Colosseum by easily defeating a bear, a leopard, and a lion. Later on that same day, Carpophorus is renowned for using his dependable spear to slay a rhinoceros. In the amphitheatre, he entertained tens of thousands of spectators who encouraged him as he faced off against various dangerous animals. He still ranks among the best gladiators of Classical Rome.
Our main source for Carpophorus is Martial, a Roman poet writing shortly after the Colosseum was inaugurated, during the reign of Domitian. He has the following to say about Carpohorus's prowess:
Perhaps the most famous gladiators immortalised by Martial were Pricus and Verus, whose contest was the highlight of the Colosseum's opening games in 80 AD.
Their story is the source of much of our information about gladiators in ancient Rome. Most significantly, it is our only surviving description of a gladiatorial fight. It is this that tells us about the role of the emperor in the Colosseum, and how combats would continue until one of the combatants raised his finger (an act known as the missio, from which we get "submission"). This is also our source for the wooden sword that was given to gladiators to symbolise their freedom.
The full text is provided below, with the original Latin text for those of you that way inclined.
Spartacus is without doubt the most well-known gladiator in history, but he never competed in the Colosseum which wasn't built until some 150 years after his death.
Born in Thrace in 103 BC, Spartacus entered into servitude in Capua, Italy, where he trained and fought as a gladiator. In 73 BCE, Spartacus and his fellow gladiators escaped their barracks, fighting their way out using kitchen utensils, and rallying more slaves to their cause.
Making their way south, Spartacus and his forces took up base on Mt. Vesuvius, where he won several stunning victories over the Romans, rappelling down the side of the mountain and outflanking the unsuspecting legions. Spartacus and his army of 100,000 formerly-enslaved gladiators defeated the Romans in Gaul early on in what is now commonly referred to as the Third Servile War. However, Spartacus wasn't treated lightly by the Roman Republic.
The consul Marcus Licinius Crassus put an end to the insurrection in Lucania in 71 BCE, slaughtering Spartacus and much of his army on the battlefield and crucifying the survivors along the Appian Way.
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The Death of Spartacus by Hermann Vogel
Crucifixions on the Appian Way by Fedor Bronnikoc
Spartacus is still one of the most well-known gladiators even though historians know relatively little about his life before being captured. Even Kirk Douglas portrayed the valiant general and gladiator in the monumental Spartacus movie from 1960.
Crixus, a brave fighter, stood out among ancient gladiators. In front of massive crowds in the arena of Capua, he was known for overcoming much bigger opponents. By 73 BC, however, Crixus had had it with the gladiatorial school and his owner, Lentulus Batiatus, and he fled and joined the illustrious Spartacus and his army of runaway slaves.
After repelling a small Roman force, the troops set up camp close to Mt. Vesuvius. During the Third Seville War, Crixus served as Spartacus' right-hand man and developed tactical battle strategies utilised against Roman forces. But Crixus and 30,000 of his supporters broke away from Spartacus in the year 73 BC.
One hypothesis holds that Crixus and his followers intended to cause havoc in Southern Italy because they wanted to exact revenge on the Roman elite. Spartacus and his surviving adherents hoped to reach Gaul and obtain independence. It's also possible that Crixus and Spartacus purposefully parted ways with intentions to reunite later, but that never happened since Crixus was killed in action.
Immerse yourself in ancient Rome through our Colosseum tours. Our fun, fluent, licensed guides are expert storytellers and will wow you with stories from the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum.
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So check out our range of Colosseum Tours and get ready to discover ancient Rome like never before.
Looking to level up your experience? Follow in the footsteps of gladiators in the ancient arena on our Colosseum Arena Tour!
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Channel your inner-Maximus as you step out onto the Colosseum Arena floor and access this recently reopened area of the world famous amphitheatre. Then, explore the rest of the heart of ancient Rome, with a friendly, expert guide and a small group of like-minded travellers!
Unlike regular tours of the Colosseum, our Colosseum Arena Tour gets you straight inside the ancient amphitheatre and out onto the arena floor through the Gladiator’s Gate. This is the route the gladiators themselves took almost 2,000 years ago. Imagine the moment they left the gates, and were greeted by the cheers and jeers of 50,000 bloodthirsty spectators.
Your expert guide will transport you back in time to the height of the Roman Empire when the Colosseum was constructed. These were times when Rome was ruled by all-powerful emperors (sometimes wise, sometimes wacky), the city was flooded with exotic riches from around the world, and the Colosseum acted as the city’s main stage for showing off the animals and people that Rome had conquered and captured.
After a short 30-minute break, we’ll head off on the next part of the tour…
Next, we’ll climb the Palatine Hill, where the ancient city was founded. The Palatine Hill is a real archaeological wonder, home to settlements from the Iron Age to the 16th century. Gaze upon such sites as the Hut of Romulus, Rome’s legendary founder, and the Imperial Palace, where the emperors in their family engaged in ruling, politicking, and scheming. Get your camera at the ready – you really can’t beat these views!
The final destination on our Colosseum Arena Tour is the Roman Forum. As the beating heart of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum was once a bustling hub of markets, law courts, temples, and more. It was here that Julius Caesar was cremated, where victorious triumphs paraded with the spoils of Roman conquests, here where two disgraced emperors were murdered in 69 AD, and here where Cicero delivered the speeches that shaped western culture for centuries.
When our tour is over, feel free to stay and explore the Roman Forum at your own pace.
Book the complete ancient Roman experience today with our Colosseum Arena Tour!
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Channel your inner-Maximus as you emerge onto the Colosseum arena floor, enjoying exclusive access to this newly reopened section of the world most famous amphitheatre. Don’t settle for half-measures on your Roman holiday. Seize the moment—carpe diem—and treat yourself to an immersive tour of ancient Rome with a private expert guide!
Unlike most other tours, this private tour gets you straight inside the Colosseum and out onto the arena floor through the Gladiator’s Gate. This is the route Rome’s gladiators took almost 2,000 years ago. Imagine the scene of them being greeted by the cheers and jeers of 50,000 spectators.
Your expert private guide will transport you back in time to the height of the Roman Empire when Nero’s Golden Palace fell and the Colosseum was constructed in its place. These were times when Rome was ruled by all-powerful emperors (sometimes wise, sometimes wacky), the city was flooded with exotic riches from around the world, and the Colosseum acted as the city’s main stage for showing off the animals and people that Rome had conquered and captured.
Next, we’ll climb the Palatine Hill, where Romulus founded the city. The Palatine Hill is a real archaeological wonder, home to settlements from the Iron Age to the 16th century. Gaze upon such sites as the Hut of Romulus, the houses of Augustus and Livia, and the Imperial Palace, where the emperors in their family engaged in ruling, politicking, and scheming.
The final destination on your private Colosseum arena tour is the Roman Forum. As the beating heart of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum was once a bustling hub of markets, law courts, temples, and more. It was here that Julius Caesar was cremated, here where two disgraced emperors were murdered in 69 AD, and here where Cicero delivered the speeches that shaped western culture for centuries.
At the end of your private tour, feel free to stay and explore the Forum at your own pace.
4.96(1256)Ready to time travel? Join our VIP small group Colosseum tour and step straight into Ancient Rome, no time machines (or long lines) required. With skip-the-line access and a savvy local guide, you’ll breeze past the queues and straight into the jaw-dropping world of emperors, gladiators, and ancient stories that will stick with you forever. Travelling with 6 or fewer people? We recommend upgrading to our semi-private tour of Ancient Rome for a more personalised experience, exploring at a more relaxed pace, and a more intimate experience with the people you care about most.
We’ll start our 3-hour adventure at the Colosseum, Rome’s most famous arena. Your guide will reveal the secrets behind this impressive monument and provide answers to your burning questions:
The answers might surprise you, but not more than the exclusive above-the-arena views that offer a new perspective of the Eternal City.
Next, we’ll ascend Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace of Rome and home to ancient palaces, royal intrigue, and some of the city's best panoramic views. This is where myths met marble, and emperors ruled in style.
Then it’s down into the Roman Forum, once the buzzing hub of Roman public life. We’ll wander through the ruins of ancient temples, triumphal arches, and the political stages that shaped an empire, all brought to life through the expert storytelling of your licensed guide.
With the comfort of a small group, a well-paced itinerary, and the best value for your money, this isn’t just a tour, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience through the rise (and fall) of Ancient Rome.
Best value. Zero stress. Epic stories. Spots fill fast, so grab yours and make your Roman holiday legendary.
4.96(2727)
Go back in time on a once-in-a-lifetime, semi-private exploration of Ancient Rome’s most legendary landmarks—the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum.
Designed for comfort and connection, this semi-private tour is limited to just 6 guests, giving you more one-on-one time with your expert guide, a relaxed pace, and the opportunity to dive deeper into the stories that fascinate you most.
With priority skip-the-line access, you’ll also glide past the crowds and straight into the heart of the Eternal City. Save time, avoid the stress, and make the most of every moment with the people who matter most to you.
Your 3-hour journey begins inside the iconic Colosseum. We’ll take in the breathtaking views from above the arena that most visitors miss. Here, you’ll stand where gladiators once battled and hear captivating tales of emperors, epic contests, and ancient innovation. With fewer people in your group, your guide can personalise the experience, answering your most burning questions and focusing on what interests your group.
Next, we’ll ascend the legendary Palatine Hill, the mythical birthplace of Rome and site of the Empire’s most extravagant palaces. Then, descend into the Roman Forum, once the bustling centre of Roman public life. As you walk through the ruins of temples, arches, and political buildings, your guide will bring the ancient world to life.
This isn’t just a tour, it’s a meaningful journey into history, crafted for curious travellers seeking a deeper, more intimate Roman experience.
Prepare for a unique, unforgettable journey through Rome’s most famous landmarks with a small, friendly group that lets you explore at your own pace.
5(452)
Rome may well be the world’s most beautiful city, but after dark a more sinister side emerges. The ghosts of popes, emperors, and artists lurk on every corner, their lives claimed by tragedy and conspiracy across more than 2,000 years of history. Our Rome Ghost Tour is not for the faint hearted — you’ll hear the ghastly tales of beheadings and murder that are sure to keep you up late at night.
Your Rome Ghost Tour starts at Campo de’ Fiori, a central square, where you’ll be treated to the tale of Giordano Bruno, one of Rome’s greatest minds who got on the wrong side of the church. After learning about his grisly end, you’ll begin to explore the city. Venture through medieval backstreets; visit an ancient church adorned with skulls; and step inside the home to a mysterious order of monks. Discover the childhood home of one of Rome’s most infamous executioners; see the site of one of Rome’s most infamous prisons; and pass by a poisonous perfumery where cosmetics killed.
Your tour ends at the imposing Castel Sant’Angelo, where your guide will reveal the horror of Rome’s most disturbing executions. If you’re (un)lucky, you might even encounter a ghost or two.
No matter what, you’ll never see Rome the same way again.
5(910)
Tired of big-group tours that move from one attraction to the other before you’ve even had the chance to understand what your seeing?
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Our VIP Vatican tour offers a more personal, intimate experience that doesn’t compromise on anything. See it all, learn it all, and feel it all.
With a maximum group size of 12, you can guarantee you’ll have more than enough time and privacy to soak up the stunning artworks and fascinating history of the Vatican City.
Our tour starts at the Vatican Museums, where more than four millennia’s rich history resides. Worried about getting lost in the labyrinth of corridors and galleries? Don’t be. Gain real-world insight into the stunning wonders of the museum’s 1000+ rooms thanks to the help of your friendly, expert guide. They’ll be excited to answer as many questions that you could possibly come up with, so feel free to ask away.
Afterwards, we’ll head over to the Pope’s private place of prayer, the Sistine Chapel. Home to two of Michelangelo’s masterpieces, The Last Judgement and its famous ceiling, the Sistine Chapel is just as awe-inspiring today as when it was unveiled in the 1500s. Marvel at world famous frescoes and discover how Popes are elected, here in this very room.
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