{"id":3526,"date":"2023-03-25T11:02:59","date_gmt":"2023-03-25T10:02:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=3526"},"modified":"2023-03-25T11:02:59","modified_gmt":"2023-03-25T10:02:59","slug":"how-do-you-become-a-gladiator-in-ancient-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/how-do-you-become-a-gladiator-in-ancient-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you become a gladiator in ancient rome?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In ancient Rome, there were professional fighters known as gladiators. These men fought to entertain the Roman public in bloody battles. To become a gladiator, one had to be a slave or a criminal. Freemen could also volunteer to become gladiators, but this was very rare. Most gladiators came from the lower classes of society.<\/p>\n

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the process of becoming a gladiator in ancient Rome would have varied depending on the specific circumstances of each individual case. However, some of the steps that would likely have been involved include:<\/p>\n

1) Receiving training in the skills required to be a successful gladiator. This would typically have been done at a special school known as a ludus.<\/p>\n

2) Making a name for oneself as a skilled fighter in local competitions or exhibitions.<\/p>\n

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3) Being bought by a lanista, a professional trainer of gladiators, who would then enter them into the games.<\/p>\n

4) Winning enough fights in the arena to earn fame and fortune.<\/p>\n

How did most fighters become gladiators? <\/h2>\n

The Roman practice of throwing criminals into the arena to be killed by gladiators was not always popular. Some people, including women, actually volunteered to be gladiators. They were willing to risk death for the possibility of fame and glory. Many gladiators went to special schools that trained them how to fight.<\/p>\n

Some of the first gladiators were prisoners-of-war who were experienced fighters. Gauls, Samnites, and Thraeces (Thracians) used their native weapons and armor.<\/p>\n

What did the gladiators get if they won <\/h3>\n
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A gladiator who won several fights, or served an indefinate period of time was allowed to retire, in many cases to continue as a gladiator trainer. Those who did win or buy their freedom, or at times at the request of the crowd or Emperor, were given a wooden sword (rudis) as a memento.<\/p>\n

The average life expectancy for a man in ancient Rome was around 40 years old. Gladiators were usually between 20 and 35 years old. The average height for a Roman was around 5’5″. The real reason why Romans organized gladiator fights was for entertainment.<\/p>\n

Were gladiators freed if they won? <\/h2>\n

It’s interesting to note that despite the high stakes and constant danger, gladiators were actually quite well compensated for their efforts. They earned money each time they fought, and if they survived their contract (usually 3-5 years), they were set free. This was true for both criminals and slaves. Of course, the threat of death still hung over every battle, but the rewards were great enough that many were willing to take the risk.<\/p>\n

The Roman gladiator games were a popular form of entertainment that typically featured slaves or conquered people fighting to the death. However, as the games gained popularity, many free working-class men signed up to be gladiators, willingly putting their lives on the line for entertainment.<\/p>\n

Who was the baddest gladiator? <\/h2>\n
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Spartacus was an incredibly brave and determined fighter who led a huge slave rebellion against the Roman Empire. He was put through gladiator training school, which was an incredibly brutal place, but he and 78 others revolted against their master Batiatus using only kitchen knives. Spartacus is definitely one of the most famous and inspirational figures in Roman history.<\/p>\n

The Gladiatrix were the female equivalent of the Roman Gladiator, that fought other Gladiatrix or wild animals during rare occurrences in arena games and festivals. There are no defining Latin words from the Roman period for a Gladiatrix (a modern invention), and documented accounts or historical evidence is limited.<\/p>\n

How brutal were gladiator fights <\/h3>\n

The “sport” of gladiatorial combat was appallingly brutal, and many gladiators faced the arena with fear and trembling. This was especially true for those who were assigned to square off against wild animals. On one occasion, 20 gladiators committed group suicide, killing one another one by one, rather than enter the arena. Such was the fear and terror that they faced.<\/p>\n

It was preferable for those who ran the gladiator schools that the fighters did not die on the field. This is because they were an expensive investment. Contrary to popular belief, not many gladiators actually fought to the death.