Gladiators were slaves or criminals who were trained to fight one another in Roman times. Gladiatorial contests were held in stadiums called amphitheatres attended by large crowds. Some gladiators fought with swords and shields, others with tridents and nets. Many contests were fought to the death. However, if the gladiators fought well enough they might be given their freedom.

The amphitheatre

Most large Roman towns had an amphitheatre. It was a large, stone-built stadium with an oval arena in the middle. The largest was the Colosseum in Rome itself. It could hold up to 50,000 people. Built in AD 70–80, much of the original building still stands today.

Audience

The games were popular and entry to the amphitheatre was free. The best seats were reserved for the most important citizens, all men. Rich Roman men sat in the middle tiers, while above them sat poorer citizens, slaves, foreigners and women. At the very top sat the wives of the important citizens. Here they were protected from sun and rain by a canopy.

Types of gladiator

The Thracian had a curved dagger and a small shield. A Samnite carried a sword and a large shield, and wore a helmet with a visor. The Hoplomachus wore the uniform of a Greek soldier.

The Myrmillo (or Murmillo), with his crested helmet and heavy armour, was a mythical “fish-man”. The Dimaecherus fought with two swords, but no shield. The Retiarius had no defensive armour but had a trident as a weapon and a net which he used to trap his opponent. The Essedarius went into battle on a chariot.

Fighting animals

Gladiators were treated harshly. Like the animals they sometimes fought, they were kept in cages before their contests began. Sometimes criminals were dragged into the arena to face hungry lions or bears unarmed.