Roman Gladiators Battled Bears in the Arena, Fossil Evidence Reveals

Uncovering the Fossil Evidence of a Roman Bear Fight

Ridley Scott's portrayal of gladiators riding rhinos and battling sharks in his latest film may have drawn criticism, but it seems that real Roman fighters did indeed engage with a variety of wild animals. Scientists in Serbia have uncovered the first fossil evidence of a brown bear (Ursus arctos) that fought human fighters in a Roman amphitheatre. The preserved skull of this unfortunate mammal shows signs of a sharp blow to the head, which may have contributed to its death.

Experts believe the bear likely fought and died in a Roman amphitheatre at Viminacium, an important Roman settlement in modern-day Serbia. This oval fortress, similar to today’s football stadiums, could hold 12,000 spectators, all eager for blood. While it is uncertain whether the bear died directly in the arena, the evidence suggests the trauma occurred during spectacles, with a secondary infection playing a significant role in its death.

The brown bear skull was discovered in 2016 near the remains of the amphitheatre at Viminacium, which served as a key military base on the Roman frontier. According to the new analysis, the bear was male and most likely came from the local Balkan brown bear population before being captured. It is possible that civilians or professional hunters were involved in capturing these animals for games.

During the battle, the bear suffered an impact fracture to the frontal bone, possibly caused by a spear. Unfortunately, the healing process of this large lesion was hindered by a secondary infection, which the animal was trying to fight off around the time of its death at six years old. Lesions observed on the frontal bone are consistent with an impact fracture that showed signs of healing but later became infected, leading to osteomyelitis. Excessive wear on the canine teeth indicates "cage chewing," suggesting the animal was in captivity for a prolonged period behind metal bars.

This bear was likely kept in captivity for years, not just weeks, implying it would have participated repeatedly in Roman spectacles at Viminacium.

Gladiators and the Roman Empire

The Roman Empire, existing from 27 BC to AD 476, spanned across Europe and North Africa, with Rome as its center. Violent gladiator battles were held throughout the empire, including at Rome's Colosseum, whose remains still stand today. These public spectacles, drawing crowds similar to today's football matches, featured men fighting bloody battles to the death.

These events, held in the mornings, included animal fights, combat between animal fighters (venators) and beasts, as well as animal hunts and displays. Wild animals were also used for the execution of convicts during midday shows. Ancient crowds sought entertainment and were eager for blood, making the inclusion of fearsome animals a highlight.

Other creatures seen in Roman amphitheaters included wild boars, bulls, panthers, dogs, lions, and many more. Brown bears were prominently featured in Roman written accounts and iconography, serving as performing animals, combatants for gladiators, or executioners for convicts. Ancient texts show that bears were transported from regions such as Lucania, Caledonia, North Africa, and the Balkans to participate in games in Rome, where the famous Colosseum still stands.

This study, published in Antiquity, provides the first evidence of brown bears participating in Roman spectacles based on fossil bones. It offers a glimpse into the significance of brown bears in spectacles across the wider Empire, according to the study authors.

Additional Evidence of Animal Combat

Other evidence of gladiators fighting bears includes a Roman vase found in Colchester, England, depicting two men baiting a bear. Three types of entertainment were commonly displayed in the Roman amphitheatre: men fighting men, men fighting animals, and animals fighting animals.

Kathleen Coleman, a professor at Harvard University's department of classics, notes that strictly speaking, gladiators fought other men, not animals. The people in combat with beasts were a separate category of individuals known as bestiarii, who did not fight other men. Therefore, when discussing gladiators fighting animals, the correct term to use is actually bestiarii.

Read more about the intriguing history of gladiators and their encounters with wild animals, including the possibility of a deadly bite wound found on a skeleton in York, and the controversy surrounding the portrayal of the Roman Colosseum in the film "Gladiator II." Explore how the complexity of gladiator battles goes beyond Hollywood's depiction of mere bloodbaths. Additionally, examine the terrifying incident of a trained brown bear attacking its handler in front of a horrified audience at a Ukrainian circus.