ἐνίκα
ἅλμα, ποδωκείην, δίσκον, ἄκοντα, πάλην.
[31:] v. 26, 3.
Ἐχσοΐδα(ς) μ' ἀνέθηκε Διϝὸς Ϙούροιν μεγάλοιο ⁝
χάλκεον ὧι νίκασε Κεφαλᾶνας μεγαθύμους.
[33:] The lines on this side appear to have been worn down and re-cut, but the restorer has misunderstood the spear, and left it as a single fine line.
VII.—GLADIATORS AND THE ARENA.
(Wall-Case 109.)
Gladiatorial combats were not native to Rome, but had long been known in Etruria as an adjunct to funeral ceremonies, and were probably introduced thence into Rome by way of Campania, where the amphitheatre of Pompeii is the oldest in existence. The first show of gladiators at Rome took place in 264 B.C., but only three pairs of combatants were engaged in it. In course of time the number of gladiators increased, and such contests were given with greater frequency, although they remained a mere accompaniment of funeral ceremonies until 105 B.C., in which year they were for the first time offered as official amusements to the people. During the empire, gladiatorial shows were organised on a vast scale, and amphitheatres were built in all the provinces. It was inevitable that the influence of Christianity should make such exhibitions impossible. But it was not till nearly a century after the Emperor Constantine had recognised Christianity as a state religion, that Honorius put an end to the exhibition of gladiators in Rome (404 A.D.).