After a long day on the training grounds or in the arena, gladiators relied on massages and stretching to help their muscles recover. For sword wounds, one doctor prescribed wine-soaked linens to prevent infection. However, not all gladiators received such attentive treatment. An enslaved man might not receive the same quality of care as his free companion, or a school might prioritize its prizefighters over new recruits. As a result, those who survived their fights in the arena risked dying later from their wounds.
