Mosaic showing gladiators during the fight
Gladiators were taught to kill and die stoically. Defeated, who failed to obtain the so-called missus or grace, could choose the way of death. He could kneel on the ground in front of his opponent, lean over and wrap his left arm around his left knee, thus exposing his neck. One quick cut to the throat severed the major arteries and ensured a quick but bloody death.
If the vanquished was too badly wounded to get to his knees, he was killed with a single stab from behind, sinking the sword directly into his heart.
Sources
- Matthews Rupert, Rzym mroczny, ponury, krwawy, Warszawa
