Roman Gladiator Research Paper

The ancient Romans had many forms of entertainment most of which would be considered very gruesome and cruel today. One of their favorite events to observe were gladiator fights which were often times fought until only one opponent was left alive. Another event that they enjoyed watching was chariot races. They would also attend the theater. Amphitheater’s were constructed for a multitude of things such as the viewing of the gladiator fights. The biggest amphitheater built was called the Colosseum, it could seat up to 50,000 people. The Colosseum was located in Rome and is still partially standing today. Some of the competitors in the Gladiator fights were prisoners of war or slaves that commited crimes. But drawn by the crowd and the temptation of fame free men started to sign contracts with gladiator schools in hope they would one day win fame and money. Despite popular belief women also battled in the arenas alongside their male counterparts. These female gladiators were called Amazones, named after a tribe of fierce women warriors they were also referred to as gladiatrices. …show more content…
Venatores were the well trained warriors who volunteered to fight. Given the fact that the betiariis were prisoners of war or criminals they were almost alway ill equipped for the task of battling these wild animals. In the unlikely event that a bestiarii would win another animal was sent into the arena to fight. The betiariis knowing that they would suffer very painful and public death would often commit suicide in there cages. Damnatio ad bestias was a phrase used when condemning criminals to death. It means condemnation by wild beast. Those unfortunate enough to receive this fate would either be defenseless and tied down in the arena or naked with an unpractical wooden