Roman History: Praetor, Legions, Gladiators, and Political Structure

Praetor (Pray-tor)

the highly trusted bodyguard of the emperor; Roman consul (the chief civil and military magistrate, elected through the assemblies by popular vote).

Co-horst

A Roman military unit of 300-600 men.

Imperium

Absolutely power and authority in law: The right of state to use force in maintaining the law.

Plebeians

In the very earliest days of Rome, plebeians were any tribe without advisers to the King. In time, the world -which is related to the Greek word for crowd (plethos)-came to mean the common people.

Populares

Ordinary people

Legions

A military division of 3000-6000 foot soldiers with additional cavalrymen.

Legates

An ambassador that officially represents the Pope; after 31 BCE: The governor of a province

Auctirati

a Roman citizen who was in debt and sold himself to a gladiator school for money

Gladiator

A strong male slave trained to become a skilled fighter for live entertainment of Roman citizens

Famous gladiators

One of the most famous gladiators wast the Emperor Commodus (177-192 AD). The Roman Emperors Caligula, Titus, Hadrian, Cracalla, Geta and Didius, Julianus were all said to have performed in the area. Flamma was one of the most famous gladiators of Rome because he was awarded the rudis (the wooden sword given to a gladiator when he was free) no less than four times but still chose to remain a gladiator. The gravestone of Flama, in Sicily, details the following information: "Flamma, secutor, lived 30 years, fought 34 times, won 21 times, fought to a draw 9 times, defeated 4 times a Syrian by nationality.