Pollice verso
So, you know that thing where a Roman emperor would decided if a gladiator should die by turning his thumb down or not? Turns out... maybe. All we actually know is that thumb turning (pollice verso) was involved. They might have been turned down. They might have been turned up, or hidden inside the fingers. I have my own theory.
Imagine the scene, the Colosseum at the height of imperial Roman power. A mighty gladiator stands in the bloody sand, his sword held against the throat of his fallen foe. Panting heavily, he looks up to the emperor. A hush falls across the audience as all turn to see the verdict. Slowly the emperor stands, looking sternly out across the masses who worship him as a living god. He raises his hand, holds out his thumb, drawing out the moment to make the most of his crowd-pleasing investment. Then, decisively, he sticks his thumb in his mouth and pulls it out with a loud *POP*. After a moment it is echoed by the other officials in his box. The sound quickly spreads in a crackling chorus through the stands, turning into raucous cheers as the sword is thrust home below.
That's got to be how it happened.
Imagine the scene, the Colosseum at the height of imperial Roman power. A mighty gladiator stands in the bloody sand, his sword held against the throat of his fallen foe. Panting heavily, he looks up to the emperor. A hush falls across the audience as all turn to see the verdict. Slowly the emperor stands, looking sternly out across the masses who worship him as a living god. He raises his hand, holds out his thumb, drawing out the moment to make the most of his crowd-pleasing investment. Then, decisively, he sticks his thumb in his mouth and pulls it out with a loud *POP*. After a moment it is echoed by the other officials in his box. The sound quickly spreads in a crackling chorus through the stands, turning into raucous cheers as the sword is thrust home below.
That's got to be how it happened.