Although we have already discussed the historical accuracy of Gladiator 2 and its boat battles here, it seems that Ridley Scott has gone all out in trying to recreate any madness that may have occurred in the Roman Colosseum. While gladiator fights could become insane, the battle against monkeys and rhinoceroses that appears in its latest trailer has raised even more doubts about its historical accuracy.
However, when asked if there were really rhinoceroses in the Colosseum of Rome, the quick answer is a resounding yes. However, that historic feat is far from seeing a rider on a rhinoceros charging against a group of gladiators. We need to delve a little deeper to discover what really happened.
Were there rhinoceroses in gladiator fights?
The most striking case of a rhinoceros fighting in the arena takes us back to 80 B.C., when an African specimen was brought to fight at the inauguration of the Colosseum. The difference is that it faced two oxen, a buffalo, a bison, a lion, a bear, and a bull, with no humans involved. The rest of the times Rome showcased its power by bringing animals like the rhinoceros to the games was merely for exhibition.
However, there were indeed fights against other animals like lions, tigers, and leopards, and even against monkeys, with larger baboons as a particular favorite. But here, it is important to note that in general, during these fights, known as venatio, those on the other side were not just simple gladiators, but experienced hunters who hunted the beasts to later distribute their meat among the spectators.
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