Flamma - the unstoppable Syrian gladiator (5 photos)

History buffs usually hear such names as Spartak and Spicul. But this man deserves to be called, if not the best, then one of the best.





A native of Syria, Flamma became famous during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD). How exactly he got into the arena is unknown. The most likely version is participation in the confrontation with Rome. As a result, adult men died, and young men (at the time of the end of the uprising Flamma was no older than 17 years old) were driven into slavery to make fun for the public.



Retiarius vs Secutor

The gladiator's tombstone states that he fought as a secutor (lat. secutor - pursuer). The secutors opposed the retiarii - armed with a network of gladiators. They were armed with a gladius - a short sword and a shield. During the battle, the task of the secutor was to get as close as possible to the opponent in order to use the main advantage - greater weight due to armor and weapons. The task of the retiarius was either, using the effect of surprise, to entangle the enemy in a net and throw him into the arena, or to physically exhaust him and then finish him off.



Flamma participated in 34 fights. He won 21 battles, 9 battles ended in a draw. And as for those that occurred in defeat, then, despite the cruel morals, not every loss meant death for the gladiator. Often ordinary fights went to first blood. After all, training a strong fighter cost a lot. And the lanista, the owner of a gladiator school, could not waste such investments. Usually mortal battles were held in honor of some significant events announced by the emperor. And Flamma was able to avoid death, since these 4 exits fell on small arenas and were not timed to coincide with important celebrations.



Gladius - modern reconstruction

In Rome, gladiators who distinguished themselves in the arena could be given freedom. As a sign of which, the fighter was presented with a wooden club called reedus. Flamma was awarded this honor four times for his skill and courage. But every time I found myself on the verge of freedom. Why?



Gladiator Memorial Monument

It can be assumed that the gladiator did not see the point in it. None of the relatives were left alive, nor were they at home. And in Rome, the prospects of becoming one of the people were very, very illusory. Flamma chose a glorious death in the arena over the vague possibility of living (or not living) a little longer in freedom. The gladiator, whose nickname translates as “Flame,” lived to be 30 years old, although few of his comrades in the arena crossed the 20-year mark, and remained in history as one of the most prominent fighters.