A Glimpse into The Days of Yore with Vivien Schust

Spectators are taken back in time when Romans were at the height of their glory and when fierce gladiators were forced to fight for their survival for the amusement of many.

In The Gladiator, Vivien Schust of Vivien Schust Photography photographed a majestic black horse and its strapping gladiator staring softly into the camera as if caught in an intimate moment with its trusted steed. The picturesque image was a 2022 European Photography Awards Category Winner of the Year under the category German Photography – Portrait.

The German photographer paired the gladiator with your average horse but in Ancient Rome, gladiators were more inclined to use Shire horses when battling at the Coliseum as they were built for battle and are remarkably known for its astounding size and strength.

The staunch gladiator stares into the camera with its iron clad armor and ever ready for battle if an enemy should appear before itself. Gladiators were normally slaves, prisoners of war or criminals fighting for their freedom and this image, it seems like the gladiator has gone through something unspeakable and has fought for his freedom.

This photograph by Schust allows the audience to take a glimpse into the days of yore when Ancient Rome was a thriving city and where thousands upon thousands of enthusiastic spectators arrive to the Coliseum to witness a fight to the death that was once hosted by notorious Roman dictator, Julius Caesar.