Ancient Roman Gladiators VS Professional Wrestlers
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
If there’s one thing even those with zero interest in history know about Ancient Rome, it’s that they had a real flair for all things decadent. Showing off power, wealth and accomplishment, that’s what it was all about. Their buildings were the tallest, their empire the biggest, their Emperor the richest, their shows the most brutal. Those fabled arena battles continue to captivate us, centuries later.
Gladiators are, you could say, the most beloved ‘celebrity’ warriors the world has ever seen. Many of those who met grim ends in front of the baying crowd were condemned criminals, but the top gladiators? They were there voluntarily. For the thrill, the sport, for fame and fortune.