Watch this full episode of After Dark with Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling where they chat with historian Alex Medings about the dark side of Rome's famous gladiators. Discover the truth about the gladiators – from their low social status as slaves and criminals to their surprising sex appeal and celebrity. Alex Medings separates fact from fiction, debunking myths popularised by films like Gladiator, including the famous 'thumbs up' gesture and whether the arena was ever flooded for naval battles. Learn about the horrifying reality of the games, the thousands of animals slaughtered, and the choreographed executions designed as both punishment and entertainment. 00:00 - The Dark Side of The Colosseum 04:24 - Rome's Political Arena: The Colosseum's Origins 13:27 - Secrets of the Arena: Debunking Hollywood Myths 20:07 - Rome's Unlikely Celebrities: The Life of a Gladiator 27:44 - Sacrifice & Spectacle: Rome's Public Executions 35:19 - The Decline and Fall of the Colosseum Produced by Freddy Chick. Edited by Tomos Delargy. Video Edited by Anna Brant. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds. #HistoryHitPodcast #AfterDark #Gladiator #Gladiators