1. FACTS ABOUT GLADIATORS What do you know about Gladiators ?

2. Facts part one The last fight of the Gladiators was in 246AD three pairs of slaves chose to fight (I knew slaves weren’t there to be cared for, but don’t you think that’s a bit harsh?) The word ‘Gladiator’ was derived from which was the Latin word for sword.

3. Facts part two The Gladiator games was seen as a method to appease the Gods to keep Rome away from disaster. Gladiatorial combats were first fought in wooden arenas. The first stone built amphitheatre in ancient Rome was called the Amphitheatre of Statilius Taurus was built in 29BC. The Roman Coliseum was built in 80AD.

4. Facts part three Nearly 30 types of Gladiator have been identified. The role of the Gladiator became big business in the Roman Empire. Political careers could be launched on the back of spectacular games. Large sums of money could be won gambling on the out come of Gladiator fights.

5. Facts part four The games were organised by Julius Caesar,on the death of his daughter Julia, featured 320 matched pairs. Roman courts were given the authority to sentence criminals to death fighting as Gladiators.

6. Facts part five Slaves, criminals and prisoners of war were forced into the roles of the first Gladiators. By the period of the Roman Empire free men started to enrol as Gladiators. Some were ex-soldiers, some wanted the adulation and the glory and some needed money to pay their debts. A free Gladiator was called Auctorati.