Deadly Showdown in the Colosseum: One Gladiator vs. 20 Wild Animals (Video)
In 83 AD, Emperor Domitian hosted a series of games in the Colosseum promising the most extravagant man vs beast showdown Rome had ever seen. This hunt was not just for entertainment but a way to demonstrate Roman control over both the human and natural world. At the center of this deadly spectacle was a famed gladiator bestiarius (animal fighter) charged with facing 20 wild animals one after the other. This was a cutthroat industry where rival bestiarii competed for glory, fame, and potential freedom.
However, one bestiarius named Herpophyrus, caught the attention of the poet Marshall for his incredible fight. The excitement and energy of the crowd were building for months, and at least 50,000 people packed into the Colosseum. It was an opportunity of a lifetime for Herpophyrus and a challenge to the very foundations of Roman society as an enslaved person who elevated himself as a hero and became a symbol of success.
- The Colosseum – From Gladiator Fights to Gory Executions and Sea Battles
- The Real Lives of Roman Gladiators
Top image: A gladiator bestiaries fighting wild animals in the colosseum. Source: DigitalGenetics / Adobe Stock.