~Gladiators~

Romans also liked gladiator fights. Gladiators were usually slaves and social outcasts who were bought and trained to be a gladiator, or were trying to win their freedom. Sometimes free Romans, even some women fought with each other as well. Romans came to hate the Christian religion and threw believers into the arena with hungry lions. Elephants, zebras, or giraffes could be trained to fight with each other to their death, or to kill humans.
The gladiators fought in an ampitheater- a huge arena that could seat thousands of people and the floor of the fighting area was covered with sand to soak up any blood. The Colosseum was one of the biggest theaters in Rome, seating up to 50,000 people. The arena could also be flooded with water to hold boats- which meant that navel battles were hosted.
There were ten main types of gladiators:

~ Myrmillo gladiators: carried dagger and shield and wears a wide leather belt and leg bands

~ Thracian gladiators: uses small shield and curved dagger, and has greaves on both legs

~ Andabatus gladiator: wears a helmet that covers whole face while riding horseback and charging at opponent

~ Essedarius gladiator: drives a horse- drawn chariot

~ Retarius gladiator: tries to capture opponent with net, and the left arm and shoulder are protected with armour

~ Samnite gladiator: wears a helmet with a visor, a crest, carries a sword and a large shield

~ Dimarchaerius gladiator: fights with two swords and wears very little armour

~ Laquerius gladiator: Something like a Retarius gladiator, but with a lasso instead of a net

~ Secutor gladiator: chases the opponent with little armour

~ Velitus gladiator: only has a spear

Before the fight began, there was a warm- up match with wooden swords while the audience bet on the competitors. Then musicians would perform as the real fight began. Before a competitor was killed, they could appeal to the emperor to see if they would be shown mercy. The emperor would then ask the crowd, and if the spectators raised their thumbs, then he/she would be allowed to live. However, thumbs down meant good-bye to you!