Cautionary Tales · Stop No. 43
Rudis
“I'll Show You Mine, If You Show Me Yours”
- Era
- Roman arena, retirement ceremony
- Provenance
- The Colosseum floor, exit side
- Medium
- Distressed print on black, wooden sword rendered in cream
- Edition
- Awarded, never sold
The rudis was a wooden sword presented to a gladiator upon earning his freedom, making it the only sword whose entire purpose was to never be used again. The proposition printed above it is, in this context, an invitation to compare retirements. Few could answer it.
On Display
The Gift Shop
- Museum Reproduction Tee
- Exhibition Poster