In the past, fighters were believed to bring honor to audiences and glory to themselves through an extreme form of gambling. Fighters gambled with their lives in Gladiator Games. These games were played in large arenas in front of thousands of people. Even prestigious individuals such as senators and emperors were known to compete in these Gladiator Games.
Before the Gladiator Games started the emperor would signal to a judge. The judge would then drop a handkerchief to the ground. This was a sign that the fight was to begin and the Gladiator Games starting. While these fights were to the death, the crowds were pleased and certain theaters could seat approximately fifty thousand individuals. These events were held all day long. While less popular fights would take place in the beginning, the day culminated with the main event where trained fighters would attack each other and fight to the death.
It is believed that the origins of Gladiator Games came from the Etruscans. It is believed that the Etruscans took part in rituals at funerals of dead warriors which were similar to the Gladiator Games. The first Gladiator Games was believed to have taken place in 264 BC. At this time, three pairs of gladiators fought in order to honor a dead man. After that fight, gladiator games skyrocketed in popularity and officials organized gladiator events particularly during funeral feasts. During these events, the spectators wore clothes symbolic of mourning. However, as time went on, Gladiator Games would evolve from men fighting each other to men fighting wild animals. This became a beloved past time for the Roman people. Businessmen sponsored Gladiator Games and intended to make a profit off of them.
For the most part, gladiators were prisoners of war. These were slaves bought for the sole purpose of taking part in Gladiator Games or other criminals who were sentenced to serve in schools which trained them for gladiator events. However, some participants were free men. These were men who would volunteer to be gladiators. Toward the end of the era of gladiator Games, free men made up half of the percentage of Gladiators. Occasionally, women took part in Gladiator Games. However, in 200 AD, female gladiators were forbidden.
Gladiators were permitted a variety of weapons depending on their classes. Some were heavily armed and others were lightly armed. Some gladiators fought on foot while others used horses or chariots. In some cases, spectators were able to decide the fate of the weaker fighter. If the spectators waved their handkerchiefs this symbolized that they wished the weaker man to live. If they did not want him to live they would turn their thumbs down.
One of the most famous political figures to fight in Gladiator Games was Commodus. An enthusiastic fighter, Commodus boasted a thousand victories. One story even depicts his killing a hippopotamus with a bow. However, the day before Commodus was to take office, he was assassinated because those closest to him feared his outrageous ideas.
Gladiators who prevailed received great notoriety. In fact, those who survived high numbers of fights may even be relieved from any additional obligated games. Due to the popularity of the sport, many individuals took part in wagering on the fighters. In fact, if gladiators were free men the could even wager money on themselves. Gladiator games span a period of more than six hundred years but were finally abolished in 404 AD. While today sports ending in the death are outlawed, we still as a society mix entertainment, gambling and health risks. Examples of this include professional boxing and ultimate fighting. We still wager money and are entertained by individuals risking their very lives.
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