Roman Gladiators

In Ancient Rome, Roman Gladiators were professional fighters who fought animals or other gladiators in an amphitheatre. The fights were events that drew many people from all over Rome to watch. There were usually 100 pairs of gladiators matched up to fight each other. For some events, called imperial shows, there were as many as 5,000 pairs of gladiators. 

Most of the Roman Gladiators were slaves from other parts of the Roman Empire that were captured in war, and others were criminals who committed capital crimes, and some were volunteers. Wealthy men called lanistae (plural for lanista), bought slaves for the sole purpose of gladiatorial combat.

Criminals, who committed a capital crime, were forced to enter the arena weaponless. Criminals who did not commit a capital crime were trained to become gladiators. Roman Gladiators were trained in special schools, called ludi. At these private schools, gladiators became experts in combat. They learned ways to disable and capture their opponents instead of killing them quickly. Men that trained in the gladiator schools and they fought using weapon and armor of their choice. Criminals and slaves could get their freedom if they survived 3 to 5 years of the gladiator games. Roman Gladiators were only required to fight 2-3 times a year, but few survived the 3-5 years required to earn their freedom.

A gladiator earned status among Ancient Romans, but the gladiatorial promise enforced him to remain as a slave to his master. The oath required gladiators do what their lanista ordered and to bear branding and other abuse. Gladiators were looked up to for their loyalty, courage, and discipline. Roman Gladiators were paid each time they fought. Like professional athletes today, many Ancient Romans believed the gladiators led a glamorous life. Roman Gladiators were considered heroes. Many regular spectators had their favorites. Some men volunteered to be gladiators. The emperor Commodus actually fought in the arena himself. For most gladiators, life was brutal and short.