GLADIATOR BLOOD
It wasn’t all about blood – gladiator liver was also touted as an epilepsy cure
SCIENCE & SOCIETY PICTURE LIBRARY X1, WELLCOME IMAGES X1
Gladiator combat was one of the most popular forms of entertainment for the Ancient Romans, but there was another reason crowds would flock to watch these gruesome games. The blood of a freshly-slain gladiator was believed to cure epilepsy. The condition was discussed in many ancient texts with some believing the afficted were possessed by evil spirits or cursed by the gods. Spectators would also partake in the vampiric tradition in order to gain the strength of the fallen warrior.