Physicians of Gladiators in the Ancient Rome

Abstract

Gladiators in ancient Rome were an integral part of the Roman world and were a unique phenomenon. Their bloody fight presumably originated from the cult of the dead. Later it was a feature of the self-portrayal of many Roman noblemen, especially during the election campaigns. Eventually it became an imperial privilege. Legally, gladiators were slaves. They were trained in specially equipped schools (ludus, plural: ludi). Also, special schools existed that trained fighters to compete in the arena against wild animals. Doctors at the ludi took care of the fighters: They prepared them for the fight or treated injuries. The gladiator cemeteries of Ephesus and York clearly demonstrate typical injury patterns. The most prominent and best-known gladiator physician is - due to his eminent self-portrayal - Galenus. Even though he looked after the gladiators of his hometown Pergamon only for a brief time. From ancient inscriptions we know the names of several other physicians who took care of gladiators. Especially these largely forgotten doctors are referenced in this article.