Part 7/9:
Fame and Infamy: Gladiators as Celebrities
Not all gladiators were doomed to a grim fate. Some achieved fame and adoration from the Roman populace, becoming the equivalent of modern-day celebrities. Their exploits would leave a mark on the culture, with children owning miniature figurines of their idols and gladiator sweat even marketed as an aphrodisiac.
Despite their popularity, many historical texts have critiqued the societal fascination with gladiators. Writers like Tacitus bemoaned how students demanded to know more about them instead of focusing on the arts and academia, revealing a cultural division between physical prowess and intellectual accomplishments.