What did you learn about gladiators in Pompeii.

The gladiators' fight wasn't born in Rome but in the Etruscan society: it was in fact a ritual - performance associated with funerals, together with dances and banquets in honor of the deceased. Over time this type of show has evolved, becoming a real extreme sport giving rise to ludi of the Gladiators.

To take part to the combats they were slaves or prisoners of war, forced to survive in the arena in order to glad the Emperor. It was their patron to decided their fate, he was the "manager" who hunted the fights for them. The Capital of the games of the Gladiators became soon Rome but this kind of sport started to be practiced with a great success and participation in every part of the Empire.