Gladiator Gains - The Secret Training and Diet of Rome's Best Fighters

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This video dives into the secret training system and diet of professional Roman gladiators; ancient athletes that performed for roaring crowds for centuries, throughout all of Rome's history. Many famous Roman characters, from Julius Caesar to Vespasian to Commodus, loved the spectacles of these professional athletes, who were not only impressively built, but also moved and fought in a way that would hypnotize their audiences! The goal of this video is to show the many contrasts and similarities between modern and ancient athletes, as well as military and recreational workout schedules!
The amazing cinematic combat scenes were filmed and sent to us by Uvatha, check out his channel here: / @uvatha .
Primary sources:
-App. B. Civ. 4. 133.
-Sen. Ep. 22.1.
-CIL II, 6278.
-CIL IV, 4287.
-CIL IV, 8056.
-Gal. Libr. Propr. 4.
-IG, XII 2, 644.
-Plin. HN. 18.14.
-Suet. Cal. 30.
-Tert, Apol. 9.11.
-Veg. 1.11.
Secondary sources:
-Cagigal, R. Gladiator: Luchar para vivir en un oficio peligroso. JANO: Santander, 2010.
-Carter, M. “Armorum Studium: Gladiatorial Training and the Gladiatorial Ludus” in BICS 61, 1, 2018. pp. 119-131.
-Carter, M. “Gladiatorial Ranking and the "SC de Pretiis Gladiatorum Minuendis" (CIL II 6278 = ILS 5163)” in Phoenix, Vol. 57, No. 1/2 (Spring - Summer, 2003), pp. 83-114.
-Carter, M. J. “Gladiatorial Combat: The Rules of Engagement” in The Classical Journal, Vol. 102, No. 2 (Dec. - Jan., 2006/2007), pp. 97-114.
-Coleman, K. “A Left-Handed Gladiator at Pompeii” in Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik, Bd. 114, 1996. pp. 194-196.
-Curry, A. “The Gladiator Diet” in Archaeology, Vol. 61, 6, (November/December 2008). pp. 28-30.
-Curtis, R. I. “A slur on Lucius Asicius, the Pompeian Gladiator”, in Transactions of the American Philological Association, Vol. 110, 1980. pp. 51-61.
-Ducros, M. Les gladiateurs dans l’Orient grec : particularismes locaux, environnement social et représentations. Université Paul Valéry: Montpellier III, 2017.
-Jones, C. P. “Gladiator Epigrams from Beroea and Stratonikeia (Caria)” in Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik, Bd. 163, 2007. pp. 45-48.
-Kanz, F; Grossschmidt, K. “Dying in the arena: the osseous evidence from Ephesian gladiators' ' in Roman Amphitheatres and Spectacula, BAR International Series 1946, 2009. pp. 211-222.
-Kanz, F; Grossschmidt, K. “Head Injuries of Roman Gladiators” in Forensic Science International, 160, 2006. pp. 207-216.
-Matyszak, P. Gladiator: The Roman Fighter’s (Unofficial) Manual. Thames & Hudson Ltd: London, 2011.
-Pastor, M; Pastor, H. “Educacion y Entrenamiento en el Ludus” in Flor. II, 24, 2013. pp-127-152.
Recruitment (0:00)
First Training Phase (1:37)
Second Training Phase (6:01)
The Dark Side of Gladiator Training (10:17)
A Gladiator's Diet (11:52)

[@davidcrews6170]

One could suspect that the calcium drink helped strengthen their bones, however, it has been proven that skeletal loading has more of an impact on bone density. The simple fact that they lifted weights daily, probably had more of an impact on their bone density and strength.

[@mmmdazzagoodmemeayzzz7264]

Energy is never created or destroyed, only transferred. If your bones grew, there must be a source of calcium in the diet. Training is the stimulus for growth, diet provides the resources to grow, its not one or the other but the combination of the two. If you workout but don't eat protein your muscles won't grow. If you workout but don't eat calcium your bones won't grow.

[@davidrajaruzicka5546]

​@@mmmdazzagoodmemeayzzz7264 Not necessarily true. There are people who can deadlift around 400 to 500lbs that weigh less than 145. In order to do this, the body in a caloric deficit won't increase in muscle size, but instead the body makes the structure of the cells change and the nervous system is trained to recruit more fibers to compensate for the lack of size.

[@poodie3887]

@@davidrajaruzicka5546 what about 120lbs

[@karamlevi]

@@davidrajaruzicka5546 wrong. You don’t grow. You don’t have hypertrophy. You do get stronger. And you do stay small.

[@Thregh]

Too much calcium is connected to osteoporosis, so if the amount were quite ok over a longer time, then the combination is valid for bone density. As an adult you don't need so much extra calcium.

[@TheStubertos]

So this means, that at some point in history, there was the equivalent of Dana White matchmaking gladiators and setting up the fights. Instead of conor mcgregor vs khabib it was Maximums Decimus vs Aurelius + 2 elephants and a tiger.

[@shentanomoroy7361]

Nothing changes under the sun

[@Thomas-xd4cx]

Danius Whitius

[@OEF0311]

Ayo 😂😂😂

[@rancidcrawfish]

Promoters have been around for as long as entertainment has

[@joshuashockey2894]

Yep, were the common folk, and there's still slavery, the rich are still the rich, and the monarchs and nuclear families still run everything, just modernize our times and language, make old harsh words seem less cruel, and were still in the same times. We just have better gadgets to play with and keep our minds numb and dumb!

[@nevisstkitts8264]

Bone & char drinks would also be high in phosphorous (calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite). It is an essential nutrients that can be consumed in high amounts without risk. Since it factors into building bones, the high bone density of gladiators may be attributable in part to the nutrients provided by bone meal.

[@soroush6272]

Thanks for the informative comment!

[@Successfulfgho]

Just go eat concrete and tar 😂

[@cautarepvp2079]

how to get char or bone drinks?

[@nevisstkitts8264]

@@cautarepvp2079 the way the Romans did it was to burn certain plants and animal bones in the wood fire until they were ash and then soak the ashes in water, drinking the filtered results. IMO the Legion military drink was water fortified with vinegar (Posca). Using this water to dissolve ashes would have served to establish an acceptable pH, as well as facilitate solubility of minerals. Not a lot of detail was provided in Pliny's and Galen's writing. IMO the drink was a herbal tea infusion perhaps even wine, thus it included non-burned herbs as well as herbal ashes together with the bone ashes in the buffered vinegar water. Recipes for Posca include cumin, fennel seed, pennyroyal, celery seed, anise, thyme, scammony (convolvus scammonia), salt. The last herbal ingredient would make this posca a laxative ... At least two herbs are still burned today for culinary use: leek and horseradish. I expect that the gladiator drink as was made by wrapping small bones leftover from previous meals with leeks and horseradish, and then burned to ash which would include wood and straw ash, as well. One last ash source Romans used was Juniper.

[@ethanbrown7198]

​@@nevisstkitts8264 awesome info! Thank you

[@sounds-of-history]

As though as the life of a gladiator might seem (or was, actually), they often did have a relatively good life... A gladiator, usually the most fit and/or fierce slave, often was ridiculously expensive and an Ianista wouldn't have to think twice to keep him as comfortable as possible, physically AND mentally. That also includes, from time to time, feasts, comfort food and ofcourse... women. Gladiators were highly adored by the female Roman population, and many would've seen the insides of a noblewoman's villa. The Chad of the Roman Era.

[@DonQuijoteDeTijuana]

I once read (I don't remember the source) that gladiators were so 'desired' (both because of their fame and their physique) that some wealthy-enough women payed (the lanista) for a night with them. The lanista made money, the gladiator got 'relief', and so did the lady (who maybe even bragged with her friends, who knows, aristocracy is wierd). [Sorry for any grammar errors, English is not my first language but I'm practicing.]

[@johnrocks5678]

@@DonQuijoteDeTijuanayou’re doing well. Keep practicing!👍

[@DonQuijoteDeTijuana]

@@johnrocks5678 Thanks!

[@deepism]

A noblewoman's "villa"

[@itsyourBrotherministring]

Wooo mans villa 😂

[@15blackshirt]

The Spartacus series does a great job showing the life of gladiators

[@daymal2717]

A bit on the homo-erotic side, but very accurate historically.

[@jgrullon32]

Ayo what

[@bryans5878]

I mean, not at all lol. Training gladiators was extremely expensive and thus they most of the time didn't fight to the dead in the arena. They only fought a few times a year and were likely to die from cuts after the fights due to limited medical knowledge and unsanitary environment.

[@15blackshirt]

@@bryans5878 I suggest watching/rewatching the series

[@proudamerican7662]

​@daymal2717 I didn't get turned on by the men. I saw well-trained men. It was amazing to see the shape they could get in with diet, discipline, and training

[@mireiamunoz7278]

Loving the series!! You're doing an amazing job, guys, I'm really impressed!! 🥰

[@HistoriaMilitum]

Thanks Mireia, it means a lot! :)

[@ethanbrown7198]

​@@HistoriaMilitum awesome video!

[@seanwaston3892]

@@HistoriaMilitum ..I Am Gladator Saphine

[@Uvatha.]

re-watching it again and enjoying it even better than last time !

[@artisaprimus6306]

This subject is always fascinating. A lot of movies have been made showing the gladiators in the arena. I can see why the Lanista wouldn't want to waste his investment in fights to the death.

[@GoldenSkeeter]

Spartacus is one of my favorite shows of all time, and it's all about lenista and his gladiators

[@steeldriver1776]

History was cruel but Hollywood over exaggerated human cruelty often in soldiers, work forces, even slaves. These practices were always common but no one wanted to throw away a tool they heavily relied on.

[@Broly0fSteel]

​@@steeldriver1776no buddy.... slavery was actually worse then what they teach... don't take away from black history for ur wannabe know it all comment "slavery wasn't as bad" bs

[@steeldriver1776]

@@Broly0fSteel source? I’ll be happy to revise my stance.

[@khristionlouvatin6874]

Lol @ Hollywood exaggerating slavery

[@davidau69]

What an insightful video into the real lives of gladiators. Adds a lot of meaning to what I watched in the Gladiator movie 😅

[@HistoriaMilitum]

Really glad you enjoyed it! ;)

[@EinTagedieb]

Super interesting topic! People often think gladiators and the way they fought were consistent throughout the Roman history, so there's always one hard standpoint that death and injury was common and often liked by the public and the other standpoint that it was like a martial arts or sports event where death was super uncommon and just an unfortunate coincidence. The truth is somewhere in the middle and also who became a gladiator and so on. In the early Roman times, kingdom times and pre republican times those games were held as a spectacle to the gods, often with POWs fighting to the death (something that would continue, executions and execution battles took place throughout all Roman history but later on they were rather uncommon, but not totally unheard of) Before, during and after the Spartacus rebellion (late republic and still quite there in the minds in the times of the first emperors), the lannistas became a bigger business and stopped using POWs and criminals, also because it was deemed highly dangerous to the safety of the empire, so that's when the sport evolved and it became also much more popular with the public. This is probably the turning point where civilians became gladiators voluntarily and in the late empire (afte some bans here and there) it evolved into the huge spectalces that even surpassed wagon racing and horse racing (Romans did really dig ancient formula 1, most of the times even more than gladiator fights throughout history btw)

[@gtaquizmaster]

i love your videos so much, ancient greece and rome and gladiators are amongst the topics i love most, so its great to see content on this, thanks so much

[@HistoriaMilitum]

You are most welcome, we will keep them coming! :)

[@thatoneguy985]

Did you guys just convince me that i'm going to do a gladiator bulk ?

[@TheFallenTrooper]

You’re ganna come out lookin like quagmire when he found internet porn

[@smorris410]

Stoked to see so much content recently. I love your videos. I watch them while I play Rome 2. Keep up the great work.

[@HistoriaMilitum]

I’m glad to hear you enjoy our content, it means a lot!

[@takethepowerback83]

Your gladiator fitness videos are greatly appreciated 💪🏻

[@brianvanmaanen1897]

Loving the series so far keep up the awesome work ❤

[@HistoriaMilitum]

Thanks so much, more to come!

[@vvslucci3728]

A channel we needed at times like this🔱❤ quite influential, informative, motivational ✨ keep it up 👍

[@bobongler]

Excellent video. Thank you for your efforts in making it.

[@tyreidliar6745]

No wonder the colosseum was so popular back then. They were the real life MOBA game of their time lol

[@maxhalsted5381]

The Roman Collesuem held 50,000 Poeple.

[@dylankoster9916]

Great vid, especially the breakdown of the diet!

[@user-se7ff2nl2h]

Man I love the history and also I´m learning english, you combined two things that I love, thank you very much.

[@nathanielscott6159]

I was a gladiator once. Pretty hard.

[@thehybrid4608]

Would love a video on - Roman engineering. Or a video on Apollodorus of Damascus.

[@HistoriaMilitum]

That’s a great suggestion, I’ll try to make it sometime by this summer!

[@Jeffdachefz]

Those grippers are no joke. I can close level 4 and only barely move level 5 and have not met anyone that can close level 5 in my whole life. I cant imagine level 6

[@vividmusic473]

Great video as always! Would you be interested in doing a video on the training of a Samurai?

[@fourleaf3797]

This video was absolutely fascinating thank you

[@HistoriaMilitum]

You are most welcome, more to come!

[@awabooks9886]

Excellent analysis, Mille Grazie!

[@GJM866]

Awesome, stuff I never knew. Thanks for posting!

[@carlstotten9937]

Incredible video as always, you do bring up the lesser known facts of roman civilisation. I would however like to see a video about the famous Praetorian Guard, comparing their training to normal legionaries. They were known to not always be stationed outside of Rome and therefore were less familiar with battlefield combat, yet they were handpicked due to their outstanding performance in battle. I'd like to see a more in depth video that shines light on how they retained their combat expertise.

[@chadocracy]

these or any other urban cohorts!

[@TaRAAASHBAGS]

The couple times they were fielded against active legionaries they got crushed. Perhaps some were picked for outstanding performance, especially in the Pax Romana, but I'm sure more got in via connections or favors-for-favors. It was a glorified retirement program. Like you said, they seldom faced any real threats, so even if their training was any different from a veteran legionary, there probably wasn't a lot of oversight to enforce it. Think of something today like a corporate boardroom with 50 guys or bloated hospital administration. The Praetorian Guard rapidly stopped existing as an elite bodyguard and moreso became a big carrot for soldiers of a position where they wouldn't have to do much work and bilk a bunch of influence and wealth out of the station... oh, and kill several emperors.

[@jamescoberly2843]

This is so fascinating. Thank you

[@GeorgeWilliamPeters]

I had no idea that they had such perfect patterns of training procedures in those ancient times. Most of the trainers in my generation were pushing us too hard without rest. Took me years before I learned the quality of recouperation.

[@crofty1654]

Nice work. Finally history lessons that keep me entertained and speaks on my level

[@supremeignorance]

Love these, please keep them up

[@peterers3]

great quality as always

[@HistoriaMilitum]

Thank you!

[@bubskees0607]

My favorite part is how the training and diet allowed the gladiators to pilot those tanks and airplanes

[@pinatajuju4471]

Thank you for sharing, always am interested in ancient ways of the Romans.

[@robbybee70]

more info about types of Gladiatorss and training would be amazing

[@Corporatizm]

Great video as usual ! Would love to see your take on what Gladiators *actually* were in the Roman society. Maybe busting myths around the downward thumb, or more details on if they killed eached other or not (I've heard people claiming both versions), or their statuses as slaves/citizens... this kind of things ! If you think there is enough content for this, I'm sure it would make an awesome video, even thought it might re-use part of the info in here.

[@HistoriaMilitum]

Thanks for the suggestion, we will look into it!

[@arielplanz2700]

Originally, gladiators were not supposed to kill each other. They were used for festivals and funeral games. The spectacle was in the movements of battle that they showed. It was more of an art than anything else. A gladiator was a very big economic investment. And having them be killed is like burning your house down for the fun of it. We have all heard of Spartacus and many believe that he was a Thracian slave. But that is not correct. Spartacus was originally a Roman legionary from Capua. An officer in fact - a Tribune of the soldiers. But he got into trouble and was given a choice of death or being sold into slavery as a gladiator. He chose to be a gladiator. And he was a good one. Until, in a public match he killed his opponent by decapitating him. Then he was cast out from being a gladitor and became a common slave. That is when he started his rebellion.

[@EroticOnion23]

@@arielplanz2700 Source: trust me bro 😂

[@johnpick8336]

Excellent presentation. Thanks

[@bronsonnees8753]

Wow that was really well done thanks for that video

[@Ykpaina988]

so Mike Menztzer knew exactly what he was talking about what a genius he was RIP scholar bodybuilder philosopher.

[@Ghost-pr4fq]

These ancient sports never tireds me to impress including the workout.

[@ticucarasiniu4260]

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is a trailing, annual, herbaceous legume plant cultivated worldwide for its dry edible seeds or green, unripe pods. It is originally from Mexico and brought to Europe as part of the Columbian exchange in 1528. so the gladiators could not have it on the menu

[@elonzuckerberg5026]

Kinda late on discovering your video and your channel (as KZbin suggests French vids to me) but, what an awesome content! I'll try that tetrad system for a moment, why not!

[@juancarlosmartinez9026]

I need more of these types of videos.

[@joshum3379]

Their stronger bones would have also been because of their weight lifting exercises. Weight lifting has shown to help increase bone strength and density over time.

[@kingj282]

I had no idea different classes of gladiators existed; I thought it was all aesthetics!

[@omar-eduardobarriga1856]

I was getting all hyped up just by listening to the descriptions💀 I can easily see kids having a favorite gladiator, and entire groups of dudes fan girling their fighter

[@robbabcock_]

Fantastic video! ⚔🔥🙌

[@eroticus1653]

Amazing job as always. Greetings from Brazil! 🇧🇷

[@wrcz]

love these training videos

[@letsgohotcheeto]

This got me to exercise again lol💪

[@cartomancycarmen]

This was really interesting ❣️

[@malusdarkblade1190]

Very good learnt about calcium drink and exervise routine new about baroey but well structured ive also seen the legionary vid this was good ill have to watch the spartan one next. Are you going to do a vid on the monastic knights as this firs your current theme

[@releaseandcapture]

High dairy high animal protien requires strong stomach acid to digest. This increases acid loads in the body and blood. This causes calcium stripping from the bones to neutralize and balance blood pH.

[@middelz2]

What do you mean by calcium stripping from the bones? How would that work?

[@releaseandcapture]

@@middelz2 the body is mad smart. I couldn't give the synthesis schematic in a text message. Even if I understood it myself. Calcium is a good ph buffer. And the body knows bones is where the calcium is warehoused

[@tonyg25]

Its true that's why no powerlifters eat meat, it makes their bones too weak. Jokes, dairy is literally one of the main sources of calcium in your diet. Why would it leach calcium from your bones? There are legitimate reasons to maybe limit dairy and red meat consumption but this is just wrong.

[@kirillzakharov7336]

the fact that they knew what proteins and calories were, without advanced scientific equipment, among other things, is mind boggling. How did they figure it out?

[@shirshakkoirala]

Quite engaging and informative.

[@mippieadventures]

I stumbled upon this video by accident, I learned a lot! I could never been a gladiator, eating is a freaking chore bro 😅

[@arnijulian6241]

Eating ash even from wood often coated on what ever you cooked on an open fire can help the following if in moderation: Fever, Arthritis, Gout, Constipation ,Bladder problem & fluid retention issues. I use to eat a lot on open fires as a nipper & wasn't fussy like most to knock of all the ash after cooking on embers. I was in my peak health when I was young in the woods, hills & valleys with fresh air eating good nature provided from a fire. I have never met a particularly healthy fit man that cooked with an electric or gas cooker but hay exceptions exist. You can't beat wood & untreated charcoal in my experience. Honestly becoming an adult having obligations & limited free time working lead to my eventual health's decline. I might have had my home in London but I spent as much time out of London across Europe's wilderness & seas. What I miss most is salty sea winds & the sun on my skin with a night skies filled with the stars ever predictable as they have always been in set motion! I think their is nothing more sad then the fact most have never had untampered meat or fish cooked on a open fire or seen the nights sky without electric lighting obfuscating it. The silence can be lonesome on occasion but peaceful without hassle & worry. I have been stuck in a society for 6 years & damn if I had the breath to leave I would with with few reasons to return outside of family ties. People think we in the present know best but I say the ancients & even prehistoric humanity had far more sense in many ways! No supervisor or train to catch ever against time looking for time that is never their. Just the task at hand to find sustenance, shelter etcetera with time to your thoughts & simple matters for your own comforts.

[@noblebarbarian3739]

Thank you for this.

[@FedericoRodriguez-sc3gv]

I love the video! Keep them coming

[@HistoriaMilitum]

Thank you! Will do!

[@tonythetiger9305]

I LOVE THE SECTION ON GLADIATOR DIET!!! VEGGIE FOR LIFE, BROTHERS!!! AWWWOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[@zackbop9045]

It would be helpful if you would create a playlist of"epic ancient training" playlist

[@Leboybandent]

Interesting episode! That's soo much barley! Do you happen to know if they were eating whole grain barley or more the kind of "pearl barley" you find in supermarkets nowadays? (Of course interested in adding some to my diet! ;)

[@franklindean8593]

More than likely whole grain barley.

[@frankmenchaca9993]

My guess would be fish as part of the diet would be necessary and available through out the empire. Arenas were in the larger cities. Sardines, herring, cod and many types of seafood would plentiful from the Mediterranean to the North Sea.

[@718snoopymoe_nyc7]

I love this channel 🖤💪🏾

[@laiwjnai-8182]

awesome content 👏

[@juleswithoutriches]

I cant help but think a Lion steak would do wonders before a Gym session

[@assassinmanx6128]

Them elephant ribs sound good. You’d need a jumbo grill to cook those lol.

[@iorwenvaremreis2195]

Main downside of eating so much barley is that it's insufficient in 2 aminoacids, which makes it less valuable to build muscles. Consuming over 300g of protein would mitigate that (if my memory serves, it's like they'd eat 150g of "whole protein", which should still be enough, though not as much). Romans did see that, as there are some that noted that muscles of the gladiators were soft yet strong, which would be strange to imagine

[@peeweesmellyrat]

In modern terms, I think "country strong" would apply. Big/burley guys who aren't cut, but are strong as an ox.

[@ApexRevolution]

They also ate beans, probably some nuts, so I dont think protein was an issue overall

[@iorwenvaremreis2195]

@@ApexRevolutionNuts are overrated as protein sources.

[@joshewing3504]

This is awesome! Thanks!

[@triswolf1392]

I always love your channel. 💗💗💗

[@trentmurray7011]

10:57 start wearing helmets boys. Neck gains 💪

[@siguc]

Thank you for the educational video! Re: lion steakes: doubt it. lions seem to move a lot, utilzing their entire body for that, so I would surmise their meet is super tough. Lion bolognese or peposo makes more sense than steak.

[@alexeidragunov4534]

Awsome content🙌🏻🍷

[@corymoon2439]

I lift weights and I can see that diet being beneficial. Diet wise you've got two cycles today, bulking where you have an excess of calories (plenty of protein), and cutting where you have a deficiency in calories (still plenty of protein). Sounds like these gladiators were on a permabulk. If your math is right 300 g of protein is ridiculously high as a person usually needs 0.6-1g of protein per day to build muscle. I weigh 190 so that means at most I need 190 g of protein.

[@tilasole3252]

Evidence of basically vegetarians being bully is really only coming to light. But people don't want to hear it. I'm not vegan or a vegetarian, but good to know you do not need expensive cuts of meat to bulk.

[@deathbyskill7239]

Its actually the exact opposite. Its insanely hard to cut on a vegeterian diet Due to the low protein to kcal ratio

[@nocturnaljoe9543]

You could have mentioned, that in the beginning of the gladiator fights, the different classes were fobidden to fight each others. There were same class fights only.

[@caelrowley8001]

did you watch the video? there are clear references to classes fighting each other, what you describe makes no sense. They were forbidden from training with each other is probably what you are thinking of, and was mentioned in this video.

[@nocturnaljoe9543]

@@caelrowley8001 Read my comment again. Then think about it.

[@Gordyyx]

very interesting video! thanks

[@yearight1205]

Strontium would increase as a result of them drinking stove ashes, as Pliny the Elder points out in Naturalis Historia. This would give their bones twice the strength of an average person. I never heard of the bones and charred vegetables powdered ash though. Curious if this was another source of increasing bone strength used either before or after they realized you could used charred tree bark. Either way, this concept has always deeply fascinated me, because you then wonder, which is superior? Their method or ours? I mean their bones are twice as strong, and I don't know of any athlete who diets in a manner that has bone strength in mind.

[@kitolz]

Was there any info on how exactly they measure bone strength to arrive at such a convenient number? It's going to be really difficult to come to any conclusion if we don't know their measurement methodology and what the average was at the time. Pliny could have been repeating a widespread but incorrect factoid at the time for all we know. It's not uncommon for historical writers to write confidently while being demonstrably wrong especially on matters of science.

[@peterpriadka8952]

You see results and see the diet they had. Just compare it what food industry wnat to tech us nowadays :D

[@frederikandersen8402]

It's not that they trained and dieted specifically for increased bone strength. This is simply the finding from the archeologists, as skeletons is all that remains of gladiators, beside the preserved historic sources. If you look at modern athletes training with similar amount of impact to the body (which is one of the main stimuli for bone strength growth) you will find that they have similar bone strength. And modern diets also provide the nutrition needed for bone growth. Increased bone strength goes along with increased muscle strength and loading/impact intensity on the body.

[@skeletorlikespotatoes7846]

​@@frederikandersen8402eh maybe.

[@tilasole3252]

3:20 did the Greeks or Romans have intricate scales for heavy weights? I know they had stuff for grams, but was not sure about these bulkier items. I assume they had to know how heavy to load a ship for instance. Or animals of burden. Or in this case know how heavy 250 lbs is, unless they just guessed with relatively similar items and said, "that's close enough". A video on scales would be interesting or more on logistics.

[@sanderson9338]

If they had a weight description they knew the weight.

[@ApedyVapedy]

Hey man, great vid. BTW what's the game that you were playing in the background?

[@bas-canadapreparatistesurv203]

lots of those takes, froma video games , reminds me Colosuss , a gladiator RPG game on PS2 and PS3 i think , nice content , i will subs !

[@user-se5xr2mo7l]

Fascinating

[@koosh138]

I remember seeing one article showing their bones consisting of strontium too. (Only one. So take that as you will.) With the diet being so deficient in calcium and in certain areas, the beans and barley being grown on volcanic soil, their bodies would have to make do with whatever trace minerals it could get.

[@ApexRevolution]

Their diet really isn't that low in calcium.

[@koosh138]

@FreedomOctopus it wouldn't have been, but it may have depended on region, owner, or whatever other factors there were. I'll link one of the research papers I found.www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4198250/

[@thezuma391]

Oh hey, that's my mod! Glad to see people are still using it 😆

[@TheBlacGhost2093]

You should make a video about Gladiator Types/ Classes.

[@thehive7571]

Might do this

[@cathys.3611]

Love ❤ it!

[@yoelmorales208]

It's incredible how everything was designed to give a good show.

[@shriyuktarana7913]

Great to watch something different content... Keep it up..

[@tgdb4968]

Really interesting video, thanks.

[@thac0twenty377]

Well, "my life depends on this" is probably good motivation

[@quangtrungbui675]

calcium supplementation serves more than strengthening bones. They also serve as vital ions for both hydration and for increasing muscular strength. Imagining hours training hard under scorching Miderterranian sun, your throat must be feeling so dry and thirsty.

[@user-ih6be1of5s]

8:51 for the past 25 years I was simply resting under the supercompensation principle

[@onickislam4089]

This video was very interesting and fun to watch

[@kattyparry1388]

So basically, Spartacus (Thraex) could not have sparred with Crixus (Murmillo) in training since they are difference classes?

[@tsuba666]

At first when I heard you say they looked like modern bodybuilders I thought "gosh he too fell for the Hollywood fantasy of muscular men" but you did not ! Yep, many people don't get that gladiators were actually fat, to allow them to take more wounds without being in actual danger and to make for a more spectacular fight. Of course no one would have gone to the circus to see a gladiator being killed in a matter of seconds. Fights had to be as long and visually nice as possible. On that note some historians ventured the hypothesis that if gladiators only trained amongst their own classes it was also to ensure fights wouldn't be staged and rehearsed beforehand. Even though, for some shows, some writings suggest they were staged to please whatever special guests were there. You could have insisted on the very low death rate (1 out of 10 gladiators would actually die) because gladiators dying like flies is a deeply embedded belief difficult to uproot (of course dying for the sole purpose of entertaining people is wrong, but we're far from the massacres movies/series depict). I would also have loved if you could have said a word about female gladiator, the gladiatrix, to kill another preconceived idea : no, not only men. Thank you for your work, it's so very important to depict History accuratly.

[@dangerouslycheezy5429]

where do i sign up for this training regime? :P

[@bubbamarkland1992]

Great channel!

[@Mau_Paladino]

The main amount of exercises was not did with dumbells, but with other heavy elements which provided grab and pull and strength to endure in different positions. Imagine yourself working in a yard, carrying bricks, stones and logs around; also pushing walls and hard elements was satisfying, as well pulling robes and other stuff. It felt good crawling around, squatting while your partner pull back a robe tied to your body. Teamwork was always successful in pairs to implement other movements.

[@aldrixlevy228]

Fellow bodybuilders, we are now the Gladiators of our modern age! OORAH!

[@ispeakmandarin]

It's not the same thing, those gladiators were risking their lives, they just fought to survive