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Reward for winning fight

This post is also available in: Polish (polski)

Gladiators
Gladiators

In the late 2nd century CE, a senatorial decree entered into force allowing gifting the victorious gladiator a reward of 500 sesterces for a fight, if free human and 400 if he was slave. This amount was comparable to the teacher’s annual salary.

Considering that the purpose of the decree was to lower the costs incurred in connection with the organization of the Games, the bonuses previously had to be much greater.

Sources
  • McKeown J. C., A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities: Strange Tales and Surprising Facts from the World’s Greatest Empire, 2010