The fight between Priscus and Verus

The fight between Priscus and Verus took place during the opening games of the Colosseum under Emperor Titus in 80 AD. The poet Martial describes this extraordinary fight in his work "Liber de Spectaculis".

Priscus and Verus were two experienced gladiators known for their strength and bravery. While spectators expected one gladiator to defeat or kill the other, this fight was different.

Both gladiators fought equally strong and the fight dragged on. The audience called loudly for an end to the fight, but Emperor Titus adhered to the law that the fight should continue without a shield until one of the fighters gave up. Finally, Priscus and Verus recognised the strength and skill of the other and gave up at the same time. This was a rare moment in Roman history, embodying the idea that true bravery and honour lie not only in victory, but also in the recognition of a worthy opponent.

Equally remarkable was Emperor Titus' decision to declare both men victors and present them with the wooden swords and palms.

Martial describes the battle in Liber de Spectaculis 29:

"When Priscus and Verus dragged out the fight
and the fight between the two remained even for a long time,
they shouted loudly and often sought relief for the combatants.
But Titus obeyed his own law.
What he could do, he did, and often he gave dishes and gifts.
But there was an end to the even strife:
Equally they fought, equally they succumbed.
Titus sent both of them wooden swords and both of them palms.
Bravery and skilfulness had their reward.
This has never happened under any other prince than under you, Titus:
Two fought and both won.

- Martial, Liber de Spectaculis 29

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The map above gives a rough population estimate for various parts of the Roman Empire in 165 AD.

It should be noted, of course, that these are estimates, as we do not have detailed census data from the Romans as we do for modern countries.

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Iron Pillar in Delhi, India

The Iron Pillar in Delhi is one of the oldest surviving iron monuments in the world. It is located in the Qutb complex and dates back to the 4th century AD.

It was erected in honour of the Hindu god Vishnu and King Chandragupta II. The column is made of almost pure wrought iron and is 7.21 metres high (1.12 metres of which is at ground level), weighs 6.5 tonnes and has a diameter of 42 cm at its lower end, which decreases to around 30 cm at the top.

It is particularly remarkable because, despite its age, it shows hardly any signs of rust. This is thanks to a protective layer called misawit, which has formed over the years and prevents corrosion.

Following various instances of damage and graffiti, a fence was erected around the originally free-standing Iron Column in 1997.

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