Flamma
Roman-Syrian gladiator
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History
Flamma's gravestone, located in Sicily, is the only known source recording his life and achievements. The gravestone's epitaph reads, in Latin:
Flamma sec(utor) vix(it) ann(is) XXX
pugna <vi>t XXXIIII vicit XXI
stans VIIII mis(sus) IIII nat(ione) Syrus
hui<c> Delicatus coarmio merenti fecit.[1]
This translates to:
Flamma, secutor. He lived 30 years.
He fought 34 times, won 21 times,
drew 9 times, and was spared 4 times. Syrian by birth.
Delicatus made (this tomb) for a worthy comrade-at-arms.[1]
The epitaph identifies Flamma as a secutor, or "chaser," a class of gladiator who wore heavy armor and fought with sword and shield.[2][3] Secutors generally fought retiarii, lightly-armored gladiators whose weapons were the trident and net.[2][3] The number of fights Flamma engaged in is higher than most gladiators. Many have lower numbers like Purricina Iuvenus (ILS 5107) who fought 5 times or Glaucus of Modena (ILS 5121) who fought 7 times. According to his epitaph, Flamma fought 34 times and won 21 of his matches.[4]
It is a common misconception that Flamma was offered his freedom four times but refused in order to remain a gladiator.[5][6] Gladiators were occasionally granted the rudis, a wooden sword that symbolized their freedom.[7] Flamma's epitaph, however, does not state that he was ever granted the rudis. Instead, it states that he was granted missus four times.[8][9] Missus, or missio, was the mercy granted to a gladiator after he surrendered. When missio was denied, the defeated gladiator was executed in the arena by the victor.[8]
Details of Flamma's death are unknown.
Popular Culture
Flamma is featured in episode six of the 2025 National Geographic documentary Gladiators: Warriors of the Ancient World.[10]