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A gladiator was an armed warrior

who entertained audiences in the
Roman Empire by engaging with
other gladiators, wild animals, and
criminals in violent and gory duals.

Most gladiators were treated no better

than slaves, schooled under frightful
conditions, socially chastised, and discriminated against even in death.
Gladiators offered the audience an example of Rome's martial principles and
in their battles as well as in death, they
inspired admiration and popularity.
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Gladiator games provided

their owners and sponsors
with expensive but effective opportunities to promote themselves while
offering cheap and exciting entertainment. Gladiators became a huge business for trainers and
owners as well as politicians who wanted to
reach the top.

A politically ambitious
person would often
organise shows, which
would in turn drum up
votes thereby helping
him rise to power.
Owning gladiators or
a gladiator school
gave muscle and flair
to Roman politics.

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Some of the most celebrated

gladiator games were held at
the great Roman Colosseum
in Rome. With a capacity of
approximately 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum held
gladiator contests, animal
hunts,
executions,
reenactments of famous battles,
and dramas based on classical
mythology.

Some Roman emperors awarded huge sums

of money to gladiators, including properties,
and residences 'equal to those of men who
had celebrated triumph'. Mark Antony even
promoted gladiators to his personal guard.
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By the 3rd century with the slow

decay of the Roman empire, the
rift between the rich and the
poor was increasing and gladiators games lost their popularity
owing to the huge expense
involved in buying, owning, and
selling gladiators.

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Gladiators were finally banned at the turn of the 5th

century after Christianity was adopted as the state religion. Gladiatorial games had been replaced by theatrical shows and chariot races, the latter remaining extremely popular through the 6th century.

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Those that were previously condemned to become gladiators for

their crimes were now given jobs in
mines so that they could pay off
their debt to society without having
to shed any blood.

The End.

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