Football season is almost here, and with it comes the spectacle of burly men in helmets violently colliding with each other for our amusement. Despite the sport’s many flaws, it remains a part of American culture and can even be a bonding experience between fathers and children. When considering the similarities between ancient Rome and America, it’s not hard to draw parallels between the extravagant gladiatorial games of the Romans and the grandeur of the NFL. Just as we idolize our football heroes today, Romans had their own famous gladiators who were celebrated and immortalized. From cups and oil lamps adorned with gladiator imagery to gravestones honoring their victories, gladiators were some of the biggest sporting celebrities of their time. It’s interesting to note that like modern football players, the individual faces of gladiators were often obscured by their helmets, reinforcing the idea that we celebrate the spectacle rather than the individuals themselves.
https://worldhistory.substack.com/p/watching-the-gladiators