Abstract
The gladiator cemetery discovered in Ephesus (Turkey) in 1993 dates to the 2nd and 3rd century AD. The aim of this study is to reconstruct diverse diet, social stratification, and migration of the inhabitants of Roman Ephesus and the distinct group of gladiators. Stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur isotope analysis were applied, and inorganic bone elements (strontium, calcium) were determined. In total, 53 individuals, including 22 gladiators, were analysed. All individuals consumed C3 plants like wheat and barley as staple food. A few individuals show indication of consumption of C4 plants. The δ13C values of one female from the gladiator cemetery and one gladiator differ from all other individuals. Their δ34S values indicate that they probably migrated from another geographical region or consumed different foods. The δ15N values are relatively low in comparison to other sites from Roman times. A probable cause for the depletion of 15N in Ephesus could be the frequent consumption of legumes. The Sr/Ca-ratios of the gladiators were significantly higher than the values of the contemporary Roman inhabitants. Since the Sr/Ca-ratio reflects the main Ca-supplier in the diet, the elevated values of the gladiators might suggest a frequent use of a plant ash beverage, as mentioned in ancient texts.
Highlights
There are various archaeological publications about the unique cultural phenomenon of Roman gladiators [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9] as well as artifacts associated with them [10,11,12], though the recovery of human remains from gladiators is extremely rare [13,14]
Sampled humans Human remains from the gladiator cemetery (DAM93G) and from the three other excavation complexes marked as DAM92, DAM93NG, and DAM94 were examined (Fig. 1b)
Pliny the Elder reported in his Naturalis historia that barley, a C3 plant, was a main component of the gladiators nutrition which matches our findings [9]
Summary
There are various archaeological publications about the unique cultural phenomenon of Roman gladiators [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9] as well as artifacts associated with them [10,11,12], though the recovery of human remains from gladiators is extremely rare [13,14]. In 1993, a gladiator cemetery was discovered in Ephesus, Turkey [19] (Figure 1a). Most individuals from this site exhibited trauma which supports the assumption that they were gladiators [13,14]. The trauma pattern confirms what written sources mention about the rules for gladiator fights
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