Gladiators

The word gladiator means Prize Fighter. Ancient Rome used gladiators during war. Rome’s government needed many soldiers to fight in the army; so many slaves and prisoners were used to entertain the Romans during gladiator games. This kept the people of Rome used to fighting and used to the sight of people being killed. Most gladiators were slaves or soldiers taken prisoner during war and were sentenced to death. Gladiators were from so many …

…joined on Mount Vesuvius by other escaped slaves and gladiators. Spartacus formed an army that defeated five Roman armies and they conquered southern Italy. Spartacus and his army were finally destroyed in 71 B.C. and many of Spartacus`s soldiers were crucified. People from all other the world came to Rome to watch Gladiator fights. These fights were the most important form of entertainment and lasted for many years before they ended in 404 A.D.