Verus (gladiator)
Encyclopedia
Originally from Moesia
, Verus was a slave
who became a well-known gladiator
during the reigns of the Emperors Vespasian
and Titus
in the latter part of the 1st century. His combat with his friend Priscus
was the highlight of the opening day of the games conducted by Titus
to inaugurate the Flavian Amphitheatre
(later the Colosseum) in AD 80
, and was recorded in a laudatory poem by Martial
— the only detailed description of a gladiatorial fight that has survived to the present day. Both gladiators were declared victors of the combat, and were awarded their freedom by the Emperor in a unique outcome.
Martial
, Liber de Spectaculis, XXIX:
Moesia
Moesia was an ancient region and later Roman province situated in the Balkans, along the south bank of the Danube River. It included territories of modern-day Southern Serbia , Northern Republic of Macedonia, Northern Bulgaria, Romanian Dobrudja, Southern Moldova, and Budjak .-History:In ancient...
, Verus was a slave
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
who became a well-known gladiator
Gladiator
A gladiator was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their legal and social standing and their lives by appearing in the...
during the reigns of the Emperors Vespasian
Vespasian
Vespasian , was Roman Emperor from 69 AD to 79 AD. Vespasian was the founder of the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Empire for a quarter century. Vespasian was descended from a family of equestrians, who rose into the senatorial rank under the Emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty...
and Titus
Titus
Titus , was Roman Emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death, thus becoming the first Roman Emperor to come to the throne after his own father....
in the latter part of the 1st century. His combat with his friend Priscus
Priscus (Gladiator)
Priscus was a Roman gladiator of Celtic origins. His combat with his friend Verus was the highlight of the opening day of the games conducted by Titus to inaugurate the Flavian Amphitheatre in AD 80, and was recorded in a laudatory poem by Martial — the only detailed description of a gladiatorial...
was the highlight of the opening day of the games conducted by Titus
Inaugural games of the Flavian Amphitheatre
The inaugural games of the Flavian Amphitheatre were held in AD 80, on the orders of the Roman Emperor Titus, to celebrate the completion of the Colosseum, then known as the Flavian Amphitheatre . Vespasian began construction of the amphitheatre around AD 70, and it was completed by Titus...
to inaugurate the Flavian Amphitheatre
Colosseum
The Colosseum, or the Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre , is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire...
(later the Colosseum) in AD 80
80
Year 80 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Augustus and Domitianus...
, and was recorded in a laudatory poem by Martial
Martial
Marcus Valerius Martialis , was a Latin poet from Hispania best known for his twelve books of Epigrams, published in Rome between AD 86 and 103, during the reigns of the emperors Domitian, Nerva and Trajan...
— the only detailed description of a gladiatorial fight that has survived to the present day. Both gladiators were declared victors of the combat, and were awarded their freedom by the Emperor in a unique outcome.
Martial
Martial
Marcus Valerius Martialis , was a Latin poet from Hispania best known for his twelve books of Epigrams, published in Rome between AD 86 and 103, during the reigns of the emperors Domitian, Nerva and Trajan...
, Liber de Spectaculis, XXIX:
| As Priscus and Verus each lengthened the contest, And for a long time the battle was equal on each side, Repeatedly loud shouts petitioned for the men to be released; But Caesar followed his own law; — It was the law to fight without shield until a finger was raised: — He did what was allowed, often gave dishes and gifts. But an end was found to the equal division: Equals to fight, equals to yield. Caesar sent wooden swords to both and palms to both: Thus skillful courage received its prize. This took place under no prince except you, Caesar: When two fought, both were the victor. |
Cum traheret Priscus, traheret certamina Verus, esset et aequalis Mars utriusque diu, missio saepe uiris magno clamore petita est; sed Caesar legi paruit ipse suae; — lex erat, ad digitum posita concurrere parma: — quod licuit, lances donaque saepe dedit. Inuentus tamen est finis discriminis aequi: pugnauere pares, subcubuere pares. Misit utrique rudes et palmas Caesar utrique: hoc pretium uirtus ingeniosa tulit. Contigit hoc nullo nisi te sub principe, Caesar: cum duo pugnarent, uictor uterque fuit. |
Verus in arts and popular culture
- The life and fate of Verus is the basis of the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
documentary drama "Colosseum: Rome's Arena of Death" aka "Colosseum: A Gladiator's Story" (2004). http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/09_september/12/colosseum.pdf