Julius Caesar and the Gladiators

Julius Caesar borrowed money to buy his gladiators

Julius Caesar rose to become the dictator of the Roman Empire. Early in his career he staged spectacular games to win votes in elections. But Caesar was too poor to afford to pay the bills, so he borrowed money from richer men. When he won the elections, Caesar repaid the men with favours and titles.

Caesar’s gladiators fought in silver armour

In 65BC, Julius Caesar staged the funeral games for his father, who had died 20 years earlier. Caesar was standing for election to be Chief Priest of Rome. To make his games even more special, Caesar dressed his 640 gladiators in armour made of solid silver.

Caesar brought war elephants to Rome

In 46BC Julius Caesar celebrated a victory in North Africa by staging gladiatorial games in Rome. Among the prisoners of war forced to fight in the arena were 40 war elephants, together with the men trained to fight from them.

Caesar turned senators into gladiators

On one occasion Caesar forced two rich noblemen to fight in the arena. The two men had been sentenced to death by a court, but Caesar ordered that the man who killed the other in the arena could go free.

Caesar’s final show was too big for the arena

The games staged by Julius Caesar when he wanted to become dictator of Rome were the grandest ever held. After several weeks of shows, games and feasts, the final day saw a fight between two armies of 500 infantry and 30 cavalry. The battle was so large it had to be held in the enormous chariot race course.