Vikings Outside the North
Posted by MRL on Dec 31st 2006
The Viking warrior had no trouble finding work whether by proof on the battlefield or by reputation alone. They served as mercenaries as far as Constantinople. Their travels took them as far west as America, but the settlements in the Americas were not as successful....
Gladiators in Ancient Rome
Posted by MRL on Dec 31st 2006
Ancient Roman GladiatorsPeople of all walks of life were either driven or pulled to become a gladiator in Ancient Rome. Some were taken captive on the battlefield and sold into slavery; others willingly gave up their freedom in repayment of debts, crimes or simply to seek fame and fortune. Even emperors competed in gladiatorial games. Wherever you can from before, the life of a gladiator was harsh (emperors competed in the games occasionally but...
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Gladiator Styles & Pairings
Posted by MRL on Dec 31st 2006
Gladiator Mosaic 320-30 AD Villa Borghese
Despite what Hollywood would have you believe, gladiators were not given random weapons, sent into the arena, and told to fight. When someone became a gladiator, they were assigned a specific type and style of fighting and practiced it constantly. A specific type of gladiator only fought another specific type of gladiator as determined by well-established rules. These pairings were intended to pro...
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