Gladiator

myminifactory

A warrior fought as an armed combatant who electrified crowds in ancient Rome's arenas with brutal clashes against fellow fighters, ferocious beasts, and doomed convicts. Many warriors chose to participate voluntarily, putting their lives at risk and sacrificing their freedom and social status for a chance to perform under the spotlight. The majority were reviled as slaves, trained in rigorous conditions, ostracized by society, and even separated from others after death. Regardless of their background, these fighters presented spectators with a symbol of Rome's military values and demonstrated remarkable courage, inspiring awe and admiration from the masses. They became celebrated icons in both high-end and low-brow art forms, and their value as entertainers was immortalized on priceless and everyday items throughout the Roman world. This sculpture is an ancient Roman replica of a Hellenistic original created around 5th century BC – the head was added centuries later in the 16th century.