Ancient Roman gladiators are confirmed to have a special vegan diet based on a recent study by German researchers.
By the looks of ancient Roman gladiators' physique and strength, one could guess that these people might have the same high-protein diet with the athletes of today with meat as staple food. It turned out to be the opposite based on a recent study by the researchers from MedUni Vienna confirming the theory that the 2nd century gladiators were vegetarians.
Researchers from MedUni Vienna's Department of Forensic Medicine unearthed and examined bone samples from a 2nd century gladiator cemetery in Turkey. They subjected the bones to isotopic analysis to measure the trace of chemicals such as calcium, strontium and zinc.
Results were surprising as they verify that gladiators were eating more plants compared to the average inhabitants of Ephesus, now western Turkey. The gladiators seemed fat and muscular because they ate plants with simple carbohydrates like beans, legumes, barley which was a key to their survival diet in the arena.
To counter the possible serious calcium deficit, findings suggested that the fighters had vinegar and plant ash drink which is a form of ancient energy drink and also rich in calcium. Professor Fabian Kanz, lead researcher of the study explained, "Plant ashes were evidently consumed to fortify the body after physical exertion and to promote better bone healing."
Historic accounts refer to the ancient gladiators as hordearii meaning "barley men" letting them eat grain for their inferior stature in the ancient society. Apparently, this account is finally confirmed but this was proven nothing to do with poverty.
The research will continue furthermore on the migration of gladiators.
