Gladiators

Gladiators were largely prisoners of war, slaves and free citizens (citizens who gave up rights, infames (unspeakable))
 * absolutely unacceptable for high-class Romans; despised like actors
 * ex. Commodus, Caligula

Origins
As moved into Empire, games became part of imperial patronage.
 * Starts in republic (first evidence 264), supposedly happened in an open/forum space
 * Games were organized randomly, sponsored occasionally by rich patrons
 * in republic, seems to be largely about entertainment
 * related to funeral rites
 * Ampitheater originated outside of Rome; was basically two theatres put together, first ampitheatres were south of Rome, in campania
 * not until Augustus is first ampitheatre built in Rome, very popular in provincial areas

Roman Ampitheatre

 * Flavian Ampitheatre (or Colosseum), started by Vespasian, finished and inaugurated by Titus (who was quite fond of games)
 * held 50,000 spectators
 * constructed on site of Nero's Domus Aurea; part of Vespasian's plan of opening up
 * paid for from sack of Jerusalem

Lifestyle
Trainer was called lanista, runs the schools, makes sure the gladiators are prepared to fight. Trained in school's (not unlike athletic schools of Russia) called ludus.
 * Often lived on estate or in barracks (outside of city; didn't want group of fighters living in city)
 * Gladiators could marry and raise a family (unlike the army after Augustus' reforms)
 * Could buy freedom
 * Gladiators could become very famous (more so than actors)

Training

 * Gladiators spent most of their time training
 * would start small, in provincials town, work slowly up to Rome
 * training was expensive; couldn't starve gladiators
 * often had good medical care, good diet
 * Great disincentive to kill gladiator
 * Organizer of the games would have to pay for dead gladiators

If Gladiators became famous, he would sometimes be allowed to retire. he was given a rudis by the Emperor to signify his freed status.

Types of Gladiators
Gladiators occasionally fought on horseback. Even women might've fought.
 * Samnite: under Augustus became allies of Rome, became un-PC to fight as them
 * oldest type
 * had leather covering left, not right leg
 * round shield
 * helmet with visor
 * short sword or dagger
 * Thracian
 * small square shield
 * armband, short sword
 * helmet with feather in cap
 * Retiarius: fought with net & trident
 * also had short sword, but no helmet