Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life Podcast A Day in the Life of a Roman Gladiator
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Aug 28, 2025 Join Harry Sidebottom, a Lecturer in Ancient History at Oxford and bestselling author, as he dives into the world of Roman gladiators. Discover how gladiatorial games reveal Roman beliefs about life and death, and learn surprising facts about their diets and training regimens. Harry discusses the complexities of their lives, from being symbols of hope to facing brutal realities. He also explores the links between gladiators and legionaries, the cultural perceptions of this iconic role, and how Stoic philosophy shaped their resilience in the arena.
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The 24-Hour Gladiator Window
- A gladiatorial day was a 24-hour entertainment package that reveals many Roman social values.
- Harry Sidebottom uses the full-day structure to explore gambling, diet, schools, politics, and death.
Different Moral Frameworks On Death
- Romans lacked a Christian 'thou shalt not kill' sanctity-of-life framework, which shaped their tolerance for public violence.
- Their bleak afterlife beliefs made death seem less morally loaded than it is for later Christian thinkers.
Stoic Sentiment On A Gladiator Tombstone
- Sidebottom found a gladiator tombstone in Veria Museum that echoes Stoic language about pain and death.
- The inscription reads: If you weren't in pain before you were born, why do you expect to be in pain after you're dead?
