A mosaic showing gladiators
The performances in the Roman Arena were terrifying that the victims led to death resorted to any way to take your own life sooner. Seneca the Younger describes the case of a German who – under the pretext of having a bowel movement in a void – put a stick in his throat to cleanse feces.
Another transported under guard, as if overwhelmed by sleep, began to sway, lowered his head so low that he stuck it between the spokes of the wheel and held it until the wheel twisted his neck. Yet another, during a sea battle performance, sank a spear in his own throat that was given to him to fight an enemy.
Sources
- McKeown J. C., A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities: Strange Tales and Surprising Facts from the World's Greatest Empire, 2010
