1. Information about
1.1. Etruscans ruled Rome for a century and when an important man died his spirit needed a human sacrafice to go to afterlife. To honour life a battle at funeral to death, the body a burial offering.
1.2. part of entertainment for Ancient Romans and the First gladiator fight in Rome in 264BC, honouring a man named Brutus.
1.3. Gladiators professionally trained to battle against each other in public. They put their life on the line.Gladiators raised finger when defeated to surrender. If fight to death crowds decided their fate using thumb. Emperor had final say but ususally went with crowd.
2. Changes to profession
2.1. When political changes in Rome gladiatorial games increase in Rome and provincial towns. Entertainment value overtook the practical purpose, larger events staged.
2.2. Emperor Constantien became a Christian and banned Gladiatorial games in 325 AD , games still continued in various forms until Emperor Honorius abolished them.
2.3. Originally not full-time entertainers but slaves and criminals who expected to fight at funerals for aristocratic family honoring the dead person.
3. Training, Armour and Weapons
3.1. Gladiators were usually criminals, slaves or prisoners of war and had many categories distinguished by armour they wore, the weapons they used and style they fought.
3.1.1. 1. Thracian-wore wide brimmed helmets with visor, high greaves on both legs, arm protectors and small shield and short, curved swords.
3.1.2. 2. Secutor- egg shaped helmets with round eye holes, greave on one leg, arm protector, legionary style shield and sword. He was called a chaser because he was paired with the Retiarius, who used running as a tactic.
3.1.3. 3. Retiarius- net and trident fighter, arm protector and high metal shoulder protector, large net, trident, small dagger and NO helmet. Only gladiator whose head uncovered. More mobile but more open to big wounds.
3.1.4. 4. Bestiarius- trained to handle and fight all types of animals. Lowest ranking gladiator, no armour. Used whips and spears. Wore cloth or leather garments and leggings.