How much protein did gladiators eat? The surprising vegetarian diet of ancient Roman fighters
                                
                                
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                                    3 min read                                
                            
                                Ancient Roman gladiators were famously nicknamed *hordearii*, or 'barley eaters,' a name that hints at a diet challenging modern perceptions of athletic performance. This moniker provides a crucial clue to answering how much protein did gladiators eat, which was far less than one might assume.