Gladiators : from Spartacus to Spitfires

Around 180 CE in the lavish ampitheatres of the Roman Empire, trained gladiators would enter the arena, ready to fight to the death.

Armed with a weapon, the gladiator would face his opponent; a wild animal ready to strike, or a condemned criminal looking to save his own life.

The duel would begin and the bloodthirsty spectators would cheer, applauding every severed limb and spurt of blood.

There could be only one outcome in the gladiatorial arena - one dead body, and one victorious champion.

The barbaric Roman gladitorial duels were a million miles away from the relatively sophisticated pistol duels of the 18th century.

A gentleman's duel would be proposed following a dispute, no matter how trivial, and the two opponents would meet in the 'Field of Honour' at dawn, armed with a gun.

The duellers would stand back-to-back with loaded pistols, and at the drop of a handkerchief, they would walk ten paces then turn, and fire.

The last man standing would win the argument.