EMPERORS IN THE ARENA

The glamour of victory might have enticed even the most powerful men in Rome

HADRIAN Reign: 117-138 CE

Like many emperors, Hadrian was a big fan of gladiatorial games and put on a particularly extravagant display to mark his 43rd birthday in which hundreds of animals were slaughtered and gifts were thrown into the crowd.

Hadrian also took part in some staged fights in which there was no risk of death to himself or his opponent.

CALIGULA Reign: 37-41 CE

The reign of Caligula is an infamous chapter of Roman history, although contemporary records are rather biased against the emperor, making it hard to decipher fact from malicious fiction. One story about Caligula claims that when those accused of treason were sentenced to public execution he sometimes fought them as gladiators.

COMMODUS Reign: 177-192 CE

Most famously portrayed in the film Gladiator, Commodus did indeed venture into the arena to show off his prowess with a blade. Rather than taking on prominent gladiators, however, he preferred to face off against beasts or fighters who would immediately submit to him after receiving a wound.