Among the Romans, the exercises of the PALÆSTRA degenerated from the rank of a liberal art, and became a profession, which was embraced only by the lowest of mankind. The exhibitions of the GLADIATORS were bloody and ferocious spectacles, which evinced the barbarous taste of the people. The combatants, however, were regularly trained by proper exercise, and a strict observance of regimen. In the more early stages, their diet consisted of dried figs, new cheese, and boiled grain. But afterwards, animal food was introduced as a part of the athletic regimen, and PORK was preferred to any other. GALEN asserts, that “pork contains more real nutriment than the flesh of any other animal which is used as food by man: this fact,” he adds, “is decidedly proved by the example of the athletæ, who, if they lived but for one day on any other kind of food, found their vigour manifestly impaired the next[22].” The preference given to pork by the ancients, does not correspond with the practice of modern trainers, who entirely reject it in their regimen: But in the manner of preparing the food they exactly agree--ROASTING or BROILING being preferred to BOILING, by both; and bread unfermented, to that prepared by leaven. A very small quantity of fluid was allowed, and this was principally water. When the daily exercises of the Athletæ were finished, they were refreshed by immersion in a tepid bath, “where the perspiration and sordes were carefully removed from the surface of the body by the use of the STRYGIL. The skin was then diligently rubbed dry, and again anointed with oil. If thirsty, they were permitted to drink a small quantity of warm water. They then took their principal repast, after which they never used any exercise. They occasionally also went into the cold bath in the morning. They were permitted to sleep as many hours as they chose; and great increase of vigour, as well as of bulk, was supposed to be derived from long-continued and sound repose[23].” Previously to entering on this regimen, the Athletæ were subjected to the evacuating process by means of emetics, which they preferred to purgatives. The sexual intercourse was strictly prohibited. “To exercise their patience, and accustom them to bear pain without flinching, they were occasionally flogged on the back with the branches of a kind of _rhododendron_, till the blood flowed pretty plentifully. By diminishing the quantity of the circulating fluid, this rough kind of cupping was also considered as salutary, in obviating the tendency to plethora, to which they were peculiarly liable[24].” Pure and salubrious air was deemed a chief requisite; and accordingly the principal schools of the Roman Athletæ were established at CAPUA and RAVENNA, the most healthy places in all Italy. They exercised in the open air, and, by habit, became familiarized to every change of the weather, the vicissitudes of which soon ceased to affect them.