The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-11-19
THE ROMAN GLADIATORS.

than gold.
-s..e.
THE ROMAN GLADIATORS.
Originally, gladiatorial combats took
place over the grave Of deceased persons,
as it WAS supposed that the ghosts Of the
dead were rendered propitious 10y the ctlu-
sion of human blood. But afterwards, rs
this custom became popular, it was not
confined to funerals, but was practiscd OH
almost every occasion. At first caplivcs,
criminals and slaves were trained up as
gladiators but in the time of Nero, Roman
Knights aud Senators Of the highest respec-
liability, enlisted among tho gladiators.-
Finally the number Of gladiatofs increased
to such degree that they took UP arms,
and, headed by Spartacus, one of their
number, defeated several Roman armies
When they first came upon the arena, after
marching round with great pomp, they were
divided into pairs and at first fought with
wooden files only, called arma lusoriu.-
After this deadly contest with swords
and daggers commenced. This fight was
generally long and bloody, rs they were
bound by oath to give and receive no quar-
ter without the permission of the spcc:a-
tors. This permission was sicnified by
clenching the fingers of both hands be-
tween each other and holding the thumbs
upwright close together. This WAS called
rolicem premere. Il, however, the thumbs
were bent back it was n sign for the victor
to put his antagonist to death. This last
was called pollicem vertere. The combats
were sometimes different, either i'll weapons
or dress, whence the gladiators were divided
into different classes. The Sccatoyes were
armed with sword and buckler The Mreces
possessed fachion and small round shield.
The gall, or Gauls, were distinguished by
their Gallic dress. On the top of their
helmet they wore the figure of fish, en-
bossed. The hoplomachi were completely
armed from head to foot. The somuites
fought with a kind of triangular shield
The essedarii fought from chariot The
dmlabatG contended on horseback, with a
helmet to defend their faces and eyes. The
aaeriaioni engaged in the afternoon. The
1'ost"tathi and the fiscales were generally
maintained by the empcrors. The dimach.cri
fought with two swords in their hands,
These cruel exhibitions lasted near 600
years before they were abolished by Con-
stantine the Great. They were, however,
revived after the death of this monarch
but finally wero efectually stopped by Hor-
teusius.
EQ"alizing the Crrrency-A correspondent
OF tho Journal of Commerce makes the follow
ing suggestion concerning mode OF supplying
the leading defect of our banking system:
Let Congress pass a law authorizing the
Sub-Treasury-at at its various Offices to receive
gold on deposit, and issue certificates therefor in
sums $50, $50 aud 800, payable to bearer, or
order, as may be desired This will furnish a
currency atpar from Nluine to California, and
serve TO equalize exchanges also.'
The suggestion seems we'll worthy of consider
alton. 1t is certainly very serious defect in
our present syrtem that it has no uniformity, that
we have no paper money, nothing in form suit
able for remittance, which has the same value in
every part of the country. The necessity for
such currency constituted the whole stock in
trade of the advocates of National bank, after
1t became evident from sad experience that such
Nh institution was not the snfcst custodian Of the
public funds The Sub-Treasury has provided
an admirable substitute for it in this respect. If
1t could now fulfill the sole remaining function of
National bank, by furnishing a currency based
absolutely upon gold and silver, and OF equal
value in every part Of The country, it would
leave nothing to be desired in this direction. The
issues Of State banks would continue to afford
currency for tho ordinary purposes of the business
community-the Sub Treasury certificates be-
ing used mainly for transmitting funds TO distant
points.-NeD York Ifmes