Russell Crowe’s iconic roar, “Are you not entertained?” echoes through pop culture like a sword clash in the Colosseum. And clearly, we are entertained! From blockbuster films to flashy Vegas shows, gladiators still steal the spotlight. But much of what we think we know is more Hollywood than history. Alexander Mariotti, historical consultant for popular series like 'Rome' and 'Spartacus' as well as the 2024 'Gladiator' sequel, breaks down common myths pop culture keeps getting wrong about ancient Rome.
Ready to separate fact from fiction? Click on to see what ancient gladiators really looked like behind the scenes.