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.
Gladiatoren umweht ein Hauch von Grauen und Tod. Ihr Kampf als Teil der Idee „Brot
und Spiele“ gilt als ein Symptom für ein Weltreich im Abstieg. Doch wer sich ihnen
wirklich historisch nähern will, muss vieles von dieser Vorstellung hinter sich lassen.
Die Ärzte dieser Kampfsportler stehen bei entsprechenden Betrachtungen meist im Hintergrund.
Dabei kann ihr Beitrag zur ganzheitlichen Vorbereitung der Gladiatoren auf den Einsatz
nicht hoch genug bemessen werden.
Schlüsselwörter
Arzt - Gladiator - antike Medizin - Galen - Scribonius Largus
Key words
physician - gladiator - ancient medicine - Galen - Scribonius Largus
