The Myth of the Fat Gladiator

The myth of the fat gladiator is a common misconception that Roman era gladiators were a bit chubby. The logic being that the extra fat could allow for superficial cuts that looked good to the audience but didn't cause significant damage. Anyone who thinks about it for more than 10 seconds realizes how ridiculous this is. I've heard it spout from Colosseum tour guides to popular history YouTubes. But what probably one of the strangest emails I think I've ever had. It's far too long to read. He must have just read this book called Naked Statues Fat Gladiators and War Elephants. Frequently asked questions about the ancient Greeks and Romans