Spartacus and Gladiators, with Mary Beard

This podcast episode features Tom Holland and Mary Beard discussing gladiators in ancient Rome, specifically focusing on Spartacus. They explore the ethical implications of watching gladiatorial shows, the public's enduring fascination with gladiators despite their perceived barbarity, and the idea that Rome's "over-the-topness" in violence and cruelty allows people to safely explore these aspects of themselves. The conversation then shifts to Spartacus's background as a Thracian mercenary turned slave, detailing the process of enslavement and the massive forced movement of people to Italy, including Greeks, who served various roles from manual labor to teachers and doctors. They highlight Delos and Rhodes as major slave trade centers, emphasizing the profound dislocation caused by Roman power.