PLoS One December 2015 PMID 25333366

Stable isotope and trace element studies on gladiators and contemporary Romans from Ephesus (Turkey, 2nd and 3rd Ct. AD)--mplications for differences in diet.

Sandra Lösch, Negahnaz Moghaddam, Karl Grossschmidt, Daniele U Risser, Fabian Kanz

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Mentions

545
Peak: 9 in Nov 2019
across 6 sources since Jun 2017

Extended reach

2,775,368
potential audience

Total likes

68,039

Video views

2,498,316

Mentions per month

Jun 2017 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • Facebook405 posts
  • News76 articles
  • X / Twitter45 posts
  • Blogs9 articles
  • YouTube8 videos
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect a positive reception towards the research, with several posts explicitly mentioning the study as evidence that gladiators were largely vegetarian and emphasizing its significance, such as calls for readers to check the source, and statements like 'Restos arqueológicos de gladiadores... dan cuenta que eran principalmente vegetarianos.' The tone combines curiosity, support, and some skepticism, highlighting both excitement and critical engagement with the findings.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the validity of the research, with some explicitly supporting the idea that gladiators had primarily plant-based diets, reflecting general consensus.

InterestHigh interest

Many posts express high curiosity about the study’s findings, referencing it as a 'game changer' or noting its significance for understanding ancient diets.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts range from sharing brief thoughts to questioning the methodology, indicating moderate depth of engagement through references and discussions of implications.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest the study influences current debates about diet and history, but mostly within niche communities, so its broader societal impact is modest.

Abstract in brief

  • The study analyzed bones from a gladiator cemetery in Ephesus, Turkey, dating to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, to understand their diet, social status, and migration patterns.
  • Results showed most individuals ate mainly C3 plants like wheat and barley, with some evidence of C4 plant consumption; isotopic differences indicated possible migration or dietary variation in specific individuals.
  • Gladiators had higher strontium-to-calcium ratios than other Romans, suggesting they may have consumed unique foods or beverages, such as a plant ash drink, highlighting differences in diet or movement.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Memoria Campesina
@memoriacampesin · X

Restos arqueológicos de gladiadores romanos (siglos II y III d.C.), dan cuenta que eran principalmente vegetarianos. Su dieta básica fue cebada, habas y una infusión de ceniza https://t.co/vawcawXlR0

Mar 3, 2021 · 11 likes · 6 shares · 18,961 followers View post →
Alp
@AlpSirman · X

Game Changer filminde sözü geçen Gladyatör Mezarlığı Efes'te.. Meraklısına: Stable Isotope and Trace Element Studies on Gladiators and Contemporary Romans from Ephesus (Turkey, 2nd and 3rd Ct. AD) - Implications for Differences in Diet https://t.co/hllDVE2mjr

Nov 28, 2019 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 54,148 followers View post →
Veganella
@Veganella_ · X

@OurCompass @KoganGad @hargrump @MaryamDuraid @murfdog4 @WillowWind64 @joelle47019650 @DMDent @LeomantVictoria @KemMinnick @E80NYANGEL @Bron1954 @me1stVegan2nd @Fire_Ice_Draco @YoAtomic @craftyvegangirl @mikerhawkns @JessMur76180674 @Ivy_Middleton @veganunityday @GodlessKafir @ukmav @jack61727922 @Beanglesmith @scorpiotiger @ihblythe @EconEngineer @GrahamCD62 @CarnivoreIs @SebastienneL @Barkey2baby @Extremely_Vegan @PeterFaberSP @marisa1sonly @LikelyChristina @PrincessWang18 @GeimerNicholas @BighorseproErik @OvisRedding @tweetprix @AGileadv @MJsspiritdragon @dr_time @SBakerMD @juice_journo @VeganRecovering @pongodhall @cy_beh @kukashnjudster @VeganRoo This one

Jan 28, 2020 · 3 likes · 58,228 followers View post →
Veganella
@Veganella_ · X

@KemMinnick @jamesling871 @KoganGad @E80NYANGEL @YoAtomic @hargrump @Beanglesmith @Fire_Ice_Draco @BodyByLentils @SebastienneL @Ivy_Middleton @GeimerNicholas @ihblythe @me1stVegan2nd @PeterFaberSP @Bron1954 @OvisRedding @craftyvegangirl @Extremely_Vegan @marisa1sonly @LikelyChristina @ukmav @PrincessWang18 @BighorseproErik @Barkey2baby @tweetprix @AGileadv @MJsspiritdragon @dr_time @SBakerMD @juice_journo @VeganRecovering @scorpiotiger @pongodhall @cy_beh @DMDent @kukashnjudster @TriciaCaputo @ShortnBluntTho @mikerhawkns @mmooch17 @VeganRoo @BedrosGesaratsi @jadeo09 @ForTkdi @FabsPasses @VeganSuperBitch @frsucks @VMythDestroyer @forestwinkle https://t.co/v0hwWZaMAt

Jan 23, 2020 · 2 likes · 58,228 followers View post →
Dimitri Tilloi-d’Ambrosi
@DimitriTilloi · X

Voici l'étude en question qui étudie les isotopes des "gladiateurs" d'Éphèse : https://t.co/sf6Ud4327e

Jan 24, 2019 · 2 likes · 20,449 followers View post →
syndrowm
@syndrowm · X

@jon__reiter Interesting research for sure though. https://t.co/v764WxRcvQ

Aug 19, 2020 · 2 likes · 1,929 followers View post →

All mentions

The Role of Starch in Human Evolution and Health

Starch may not sound fancy, but its role in human history has been significant and often overlooked, especially amidst current carb-fearing trends. Explore the importance of dietary carbohydrates in human evolution and…

Mic the Vegan · Jun 7, 2017 224,270 views
Ozer Tayiz
@ozertayizx · X

@M0mmaSc0ut @Rothmus Humans are starchivores meant to eat starch. https://t.co/sEu2dD1YPu

Sep 7, 2025 · 331 followers View post →
Ozer Tayiz
@ozertayizx · X

@dragonfly713 @MarieIsabellaB Have you even clicked the article in my first comment? Here is another for you to ignore. https://t.co/sEu2dD1qZW

Aug 7, 2025 · 331 followers View post →
jerktonium
@jerktonivm · X

@bahatetik41 @alkanno1312 @OdakTV1 https://t.co/jBZYlXxwTi

Jun 8, 2025 · 1,433 followers View post →
noordung
@n00rdung · X

@Evolving_Ego @Noahpinion It's not just a study. It's a well known historical fact. But here's one study. https://t.co/sA3fqP2Xrd

Nov 19, 2024 · 4,756 followers View post →
WeAreOne
@1We_Are_One · X

Humans Are Starchivores (Starch Eaters) https://t.co/ytTkszuyF9 via @YouTube

Nov 2, 2024 · 6 followers View post →
TONARI
@_bluntsage · X

@the_Kingtesh

May 2, 2024 · 1 like · 3,175 followers View post →
SScriver
@SScriver3 · X

#Starchivores https://t.co/s0d8IpUXJD

Feb 17, 2024 · 379 followers View post →
AerenKaelveyr
@LyreInTheSky · X

Humans Are Starchivores (Starch Eaters) https://t.co/SvgmrBKjIY via @YouTube

Sep 12, 2023 · 237 followers View post →
_bktr10_
@_bktr10_ · X

@Tsimz_gaming @LibertyCappy https://t.co/sdnK7ehoH2 & https://t.co/HfBfS27aCR & https://t.co/XxG7eKgvVl links in video too

Apr 21, 2023 · 70 followers View post →
Brian Cruikshank
@brianrc · X

@carniyogi @ChaoticPeace69 @herbivore_club Our species competitive advantage was the ability to access a rich source of calories underground: Potatoes. https://t.co/SGRYtw2pt5

Apr 9, 2023 · 165 followers View post →
Matt Notarian
@mnotarian · X

Just came across this study after a student mentioned a film claiming gladiators were vegetarian. Stable isotope analysis of the gladiator cemetery in Ephesus. Haven't dug in yet, but curious to see how accurate that is: https://t.co/TFCkzYwNbE

Jan 25, 2023 · 532 followers View post →
Lef_iv Ⓥ
@Lef_iv · X

Humans are carnivores? What does the science tell us? https://t.co/CDYnjIxbln

Oct 22, 2022 · 3,555 followers View post →
Die Ⓥeganerin
@DieVeganerin · X

@MatthiasKaiser1 @der_veganer Wenn das stimmen würde, dann müssten ja reine Fleischesser sogar noch weiterentwickelter als Menschen sein...

Sep 15, 2022 · 2 likes · 869 followers View post →
NebulaPirate_S16 Ⓥ
@nebulapirate · X

@CSense5537 @FrasierHarry It was actually the starch, not meat, that made our brains grow https://t.co/xmixzkyI5R

May 3, 2022 · 1 like · 132 followers View post →
Bad Take Sports-Fire Chris Grier
@901PhinsFan · X

@NaturePerson201 @theveganting Yah and here's the paper it's sourced from https://t.co/u7Jf8o6C78

Apr 29, 2022 · 523 followers View post →
Desi Yodha
@DesiYoda1 · X

@hbfetr @kothicame_darth @SwampFox7 Are you one of those who goes areound claiming that they were Vegetarians? Sorry to break it to you but they were not *exclusively* vegetarians. They had a mixed diet (barley, legumes, fish, meat and dairy products) just like what I have been suggesting. https://t.co/h0Xdvpmyy6

Apr 7, 2022 · 166 followers View post →
Rosario Guzmán
@Rosarioredessoc · X

Humans Are Starchivores (Starch Eaters) - YouTube https://t.co/2khuVazguT

Oct 1, 2021 · 169 followers View post →
Valeri Vasilev
@DiogenesOfSofia · X

"Stable Isotope and Trace Element Studies on Gladiators and Contemporary Romans from Ephesus (Turkey, 2nd and 3rd Ct. AD) - Implications for Differences in Diet". https://t.co/OsB6bePuBL

Aug 20, 2021 · 107 followers View post →
あるてーぬ
@GonzaloOrdonez · X

RT @memoriacampesin: Restos arqueológicos de gladiadores romanos (siglos II y III d.C.), dan cuenta que eran principalmente vegetarianos. S…

Mar 3, 2021 · 6 shares · 443 followers View post →
Ma®️co Díaz
@madiazreyes · X

RT @memoriacampesin: Restos arqueológicos de gladiadores romanos (siglos II y III d.C.), dan cuenta que eran principalmente vegetarianos. S…

Mar 3, 2021 · 6 shares · 8,674 followers View post →
Julafgana
@JAfgana · X

RT @memoriacampesin: Restos arqueológicos de gladiadores romanos (siglos II y III d.C.), dan cuenta que eran principalmente vegetarianos. S…

Mar 3, 2021 · 6 shares · 3,550 followers View post →
M. Angélica Sandoval
@Marisanru · X

RT @memoriacampesin: Restos arqueológicos de gladiadores romanos (siglos II y III d.C.), dan cuenta que eran principalmente vegetarianos. S…

Mar 3, 2021 · 6 shares · 1,903 followers View post →
Memoria Campesina
@memoriacampesin · X

Restos arqueológicos de gladiadores romanos (siglos II y III d.C.), dan cuenta que eran principalmente vegetarianos. Su dieta básica fue cebada, habas y una infusión de ceniza https://t.co/vawcawXlR0

Mar 3, 2021 · 11 likes · 6 shares · 18,961 followers View post →
Roger D. Isaacs
@TalkingWithGod · X

Study reveals #gladiator diet was plant-based with an ash tonic on the side. https://t.co/ZfDagS34cL

Sep 7, 2020 · 1 like · 228 followers View post →
syndrowm
@syndrowm · X

@jon__reiter Interesting research for sure though. https://t.co/v764WxRcvQ

Aug 19, 2020 · 2 likes · 1,929 followers View post →
Sonegador de verdades 
@Edu_jy · X

@aleexpimentel @luide https://t.co/3qn7w9tO76 https://t.co/6wYTLVwiEN https://t.co/XmhClotexA Esses são alguns estudos que eu consegui encontrar sobre o assunto.

May 5, 2020 · 2,689 followers View post →
Geetam
@Geetam · X

Humans Are Starchivores (Starch Eaters) https://t.co/dLqFeUq0lw via @YouTube

Feb 1, 2020 · 194 followers View post →
Veganella
@Veganella_ · X

@OurCompass @KoganGad @hargrump @MaryamDuraid @murfdog4 @WillowWind64 @joelle47019650 @DMDent @LeomantVictoria @KemMinnick @E80NYANGEL @Bron1954 @me1stVegan2nd @Fire_Ice_Draco @YoAtomic @craftyvegangirl @mikerhawkns @JessMur76180674 @Ivy_Middleton @veganunityday @GodlessKafir @ukmav @jack61727922 @Beanglesmith @scorpiotiger @ihblythe @EconEngineer @GrahamCD62 @CarnivoreIs @SebastienneL @Barkey2baby @Extremely_Vegan @PeterFaberSP @marisa1sonly @LikelyChristina @PrincessWang18 @GeimerNicholas @BighorseproErik @OvisRedding @tweetprix @AGileadv @MJsspiritdragon @dr_time @SBakerMD @juice_journo @VeganRecovering @pongodhall @cy_beh @kukashnjudster @VeganRoo This one

Jan 28, 2020 · 3 likes · 58,228 followers View post →
Veganella
@Veganella_ · X

@KemMinnick @jamesling871 @KoganGad @E80NYANGEL @YoAtomic @hargrump @Beanglesmith @Fire_Ice_Draco @BodyByLentils @SebastienneL @Ivy_Middleton @GeimerNicholas @ihblythe @me1stVegan2nd @PeterFaberSP @Bron1954 @OvisRedding @craftyvegangirl @Extremely_Vegan @marisa1sonly @LikelyChristina @ukmav @PrincessWang18 @BighorseproErik @Barkey2baby @tweetprix @AGileadv @MJsspiritdragon @dr_time @SBakerMD @juice_journo @VeganRecovering @scorpiotiger @pongodhall @cy_beh @DMDent @kukashnjudster @TriciaCaputo @ShortnBluntTho @mikerhawkns @mmooch17 @VeganRoo @BedrosGesaratsi @jadeo09 @ForTkdi @FabsPasses @VeganSuperBitch @frsucks @VMythDestroyer @forestwinkle https://t.co/v0hwWZaMAt

Jan 23, 2020 · 2 likes · 58,228 followers View post →
Mina Smith
@Mina_Smith · X

RT @AlpSirman: Game Changer filminde sözü geçen Gladyatör Mezarlığı Efes'te.. Meraklısına: Stable Isotope and Trace Element Studies on Gla…

Nov 28, 2019 · 3 shares · 9,449 followers View post →
stellaesterella
@stellaesterella · X

RT @AlpSirman: Game Changer filminde sözü geçen Gladyatör Mezarlığı Efes'te.. Meraklısına: Stable Isotope and Trace Element Studies on Gla…

Nov 28, 2019 · 3 shares · 1,228 followers View post →
Major Tom
@Kuramsal_kiracI · X

RT @AlpSirman: Game Changer filminde sözü geçen Gladyatör Mezarlığı Efes'te.. Meraklısına: Stable Isotope and Trace Element Studies on Gla…

Nov 28, 2019 · 3 shares · 1,648 followers View post →
Alp
@AlpSirman · X

Game Changer filminde sözü geçen Gladyatör Mezarlığı Efes'te.. Meraklısına: Stable Isotope and Trace Element Studies on Gladiators and Contemporary Romans from Ephesus (Turkey, 2nd and 3rd Ct. AD) - Implications for Differences in Diet https://t.co/hllDVE2mjr

Nov 28, 2019 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 54,148 followers View post →
Shine So Bright
@Mark_1124_ · X

@Itsamugsgame @runarpet Pubic library of science https://t.co/W4o55MdeEU 29 articles by PLOSONE confirm wheat and barley as staple food of gladiators find conclusion toward the bottom

Nov 10, 2019 · 124 followers View post →
Yuki
@yuki__jp · X

この論文を読むと、大麦や小麦を主食とする生活をして、副菜として野菜やその他の食材をバランスよく取るといい感じ。 https://t.co/JMAudtme0M オートミール生活+豆乳の朝食は、そこまで大きくずれた食事ではなかったみたい。

Nov 9, 2019 · 2,422 followers View post →
CachopoEnjoyer
@CachopoEnjoyer · X

- También hablan del famoso estudio que detonó por asi decirlo este documental donde midieron la densidad osea de los romanos que se alimentaban de legumbres y vegetales (https://t.co/hFli93Tllp) dando ya por hecho de que aquellos que sigamos una dieta como tal tendremos +

Nov 3, 2019 · 244 followers View post →
Skeptoidius
@Skeptoidius · X

Los buscadores de carroña, @pacoalmodovar y @MiguelJaraBlog, a lo suyo https://t.co/iiSD77G08W https://t.co/Htp4h8k5Cy

Nov 2, 2019 · 120 followers View post →
David Demoise
@DavidDemoise · X

Humans Are Starchivores (Starch Eaters) https://t.co/RqdRb97DRz

Oct 23, 2019 · 109 followers View post →
Andrew Curry (spoke32.bsky.social)
@spoke32 · X

@MensHealthMag, @paul_kita - your Sept. 16 "fact check" of @gcmovie needs to be corrected. The gladiator study was published in peer-reviewed @PLOSONE. I covered for @archaeologymag, I wasn't the source. (One of the authors is in the trailer.) Very sloppy. https://t.co/OHnK3TUZRm

Sep 26, 2019 · 3,116 followers View post →
Jan Vyjidak
@janvyjidak · X

@plant_endo @DeanOrnishMD @DrEsselstyn @RipEsselstyn @drjkahn @cardio10s @gcmovie as in - it is ok for the trailer to contain a misleading piece of information? or do you actually agree that it is correct? in that case, what are your thoughts on Losch (2014)? Losch (2014) https://t.co/zDFVxPtO86

Sep 17, 2019 · 4,152 followers View post →
Earth Soldier Lifestyle
@imagine_garden · X

RT @PlantBasedCoach: I thought this was interesting and deserved a look. I love #micthevegan so props to him. #Vegan #plantbased #starches…

Apr 18, 2019 · 1 share · 6,640 followers View post →
Coach Ellis
@InternalAwe · X

I thought this was interesting and deserved a look. I love #micthevegan so props to him. #Vegan #plantbased #starches https://t.co/Ms2jyrQkCN

Apr 18, 2019 · 1 share · 10 followers View post →
Jaclyn
@jdunstan · X

@RebeccaCNReid We are born to thrive on starchy carbs like rice & potatoes... fill your boots https://t.co/1K5TnzbWHM

Feb 5, 2019 · 848 followers View post →
Scott Cousland
@aLazyMansGuide · X

The first, and last diet for healthy humans https://t.co/uynspmf4EE

Jan 28, 2019 · 297 followers View post →
Dimitri Tilloi-d’Ambrosi
@DimitriTilloi · X

Voici l'étude en question qui étudie les isotopes des "gladiateurs" d'Éphèse : https://t.co/sf6Ud4327e

Jan 24, 2019 · 2 likes · 20,449 followers View post →