There is evidence of it in funeral rites during the Punic Wars of the 3rd century BC, and thereafter it rapidly became an essential feature of politics and social life in the Roman world. The origin of gladiatorial combat is open to debate. They were celebrated in high and low art, and their value as entertainers was commemorated in precious and commonplace objects throughout the Roman world. Irrespective of their origin, gladiators offered spectators an example of Rome's martial ethics and, in fighting or dying well, they could inspire admiration and popular acclaim. Most were despised as slaves, schooled under harsh conditions, socially marginalized, and segregated even in death. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their lives and their legal and social standing by appearing in the arena. It shows (left to right) a thraex fighting a murmillo, a hoplomachus standing with another murmillo (who is signaling his defeat to the referee), and one of a matched pair.Ī gladiator ( Latin: gladiator, 'swordsman', from gladius, 'sword') was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals.

Part of the Zliten mosaic from Libya (Leptis Magna), about 2nd century AD. For other uses, see Gladiator (disambiguation).

Call the colosseum