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[[File<youtube>https: Gladiators_from_the_Zilten_mosaic//www.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|Mosaic Depicting Gladiators Fighting and a Referee]]__NOTOC__The gladiatorial games of ancient Rome are well-known today due to the numerous films produced over the last few decades where they play a role. The fictional accounts of the gladiators do in fact show a lot of truthful elements of the games, but often mix different events from various periods of Roman history. The reality is that the gladiatorial games played a major role in Roman culture from the early days of the Republic well into the days of decline in the Empire. Archaeological, art historical, and textual evidence have allowed modern scholars to trace the evolution of the gladiatorial games from small private occasions that were associated with religion and rituals to the major events most people think of, which were for the most part designed to keep the people content and to eliminate enemies of the stateyoutube.com/watch?v=c4RuWmmt8To</youtube>

Although the Romans made beast hunting into a public event, its origins can be traced back to the Near East, where the kings of Egypt, Assyria and other kingdoms killed lions to demonstrate their power and virility. <ref> Kyle, Donald G. <i>Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World.</i> (Malden, Massachusetts[[File: Blackwell, 2007), pGladiators_from_the_Zilten_mosaic. 264</ref> The first public beast hunt to be held in Rome took place in 186 BC jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Mosaic Depicting Gladiators Fighting and from that point on they became a regular occurrence in the amphitheaters around the city. Referee]]__NOTOC__The men hunting and killing gladiatorial games of ancient Rome are well-known today due to the animals were usually free and professionals, but part of numerous films produced over the entertainer class so last few decades where they were low on the Roman social scale. <ref> Kyle, pgsplay a role. 268-9</ref> The development gladiators' fictional accounts show many truthful elements of the gladiatorial games is a bit harder to trace, although they also became a part but often mix different events from various periods of Roman culture at an early pointhistory.

The earliest depictions of reality is that the gladiatorial combat games played a major role in Italy are Roman culture from the so-called Campanian gladiator frescoes, which are dated to early days of the fourth century BC. Although there is no text that accompanies Republic and the frescoes, it is believed that they show part days of a funeral game probably fought by volunteers to decline in the first bloodshedEmpire. Many other early gladiators were probably prisoners of war forced to fight in funeral gamesArchaeological, which then evolved into skilledart historical, professional fighters. The name “gladiator” is derived from and textual evidence have allowed modern scholars to trace the name evolution of the sword many gladiatorial games from small private occasions that were associated with religion and rituals to the major events most people think of the early gladiators used in the names, which were for the <i>gladius</i>, indication most part designed to keep the martial background people content and to eliminate enemies of the activity. <ref> Kyle, pstate. 271</ref>

===Gladiator =Gladiatorial Games in the Roman RepublicDefined====The first gladiatorial games recorded in Rome took place in 264 BC, when the sons [[File: Fighting_gladiator.jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Mosaic of Decimus Junius Brutus organized an event for their recently deceased father. a Beast Hunt or <refi> Kyle, p. 273Venatio</refi> After those games, there are no more records ]]When one thinks of gladiatorial events in Rome until 216 BCtoday, probably because the Romans were too preoccupied images of men fighting each other with the increasingly tenuous geo-political situation with Carthage, which eventually led nets and tridents often first come to the Second Punic War (218-202 BC)mind. InterestinglyStill, the historian Livy wrote that the Carthaginian general Hannibal conducted his own type for many, images of blood men fighting ferocious big cats and other animals are also evoked. Actually, gladiatorial games and beast hunts were two different events, but they were both known as <i>munera</i>, which translated from Latin means “blood sports when he invaded Rome in 218 BC. He wrote:”

“He formed his troops into Bloodsports became a circlehallmark of Roman culture from an early point, and had some prisoners, whom he had captured in but another trademark of Roman culture was the mountainstendency to categorize things, brought into which the middle of it in chainsRomans did with their blood sports. Gallic weapons were laid on the ground in front of them, and an interpreter was told to ask if any The blood sport of them would be willing to fight in single combat if he were released from his chains hunting and offered a horse, together with the weaponskilling animals for crowds, known as the prize of victory.” <ref> Livy. <i> The War with Hannibal: Books XXI-XXX of The History of Rome form its Foundation.venation</i> Translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt. , is known from the Roman Republic era (London: Penguin, 1972509-first century BC), XXI, 42 </ref>often playing a prominent role in military triumphs and public shows.

It is unknown how much Hannibal’s “games” had on Although the Roman blood sportsRomans made beast hunting into a public event, but it cannot its origins can be discounted since traced back to the Roman blood sports were quite eclectic in Near East, where the kings of Egypt, Assyria, and other kingdoms killed lions to demonstrate their originspower and virility. By the late Republic gladiatorial games were highly institutionalized – the gladiators were well-trained and valuable prisoners of war<ref> Kyle, who fought in distinct stylesDonald G. All gladiators were dressed as <i>Sport and fought Spectacle in the style of one of Rome’s three early enemiesAncient World.</i> (Malden, Massachusetts: SamniteBlackwell, Thracian2007), p. 264</ref> The first public beast hunt to be held in Rome took place in 186 BC, and Gaulfrom that point on, they became a regular occurrence in the amphitheaters around the city. These three designations The men hunting and killing the animals were introduced at an early point usually free and professionals, but part of the entertainer class, so they were retained as long as gladiators fought in Romelow on the Roman social scale. <ref> Kyle, ppgs. 281268-9</ref> The gladiatorial games' development is a bit harder to trace, although they also became a part of the Roman culture at an early point.

===Gladiator Games and Beast Hunts The earliest depictions of gladiatorial combat in Italy are the Early Empire===During so-called Campanian gladiator frescoes, dated to the Civil Wars of fourth century BC. Although no text accompanies the second half frescoes, it is believed that they show part of a funeral game probably fought by volunteers to the last century BC and in the first bloodshed. Many other early years gladiators were probably prisoners of the Roman Empirewar forced to fight in funeral games, which then evolved into skilled, gladiator games and beast hunts went professional fighters. The name “gladiator” is derived from being minor events to big business. Julius Caesar (100-44 BC), ever the astute and pragmatic politician, saw name of the sword many of the potential for using early gladiators used in the games for political advantage. In his efforts to combine Roman blood sports and politicsnames, Caesar ended the tradition of only holding gladiatorial games for funerals and introduced <i>naumachiasgladius</i>, staged sea battles, into amphitheaters. Caesar also became known for sparing particularly skilled and popular gladiatorsindicating the martial background of the activity. <ref>Kyle, p. 287271</ref> The first century AD Roman biographer Suetonius noted this abrupt transition.

“During his aedileship== When did Gladiator Games begin in the Roman Republic? ==The first gladiatorial games recorded in Rome took place in 264 BC when the sons of Decimus Junius Brutus organized an event for their recently deceased father. <ref> Kyle, Caesar filled the Comitiump. 273</ref> After those games, the Forumthere are no more records of gladiatorial events in Rome until 216 BC, its adjacent basilicas and probably because the Capitol itself Romans were too preoccupied with a display of the material increasingly tenuous geopolitical situation with Carthage, which he meant eventually led to use in his public shows, building temporary colonnades for the purpose. He exhibited wildSecond Punic War (218-beast hunts and stage plays, some at his own expense202 BC). . . Caesar also put on a gladiatorial showInterestingly, but had collected so immense a troop of combatants the historian Livy wrote that the Carthaginian general Hannibal conducted his terrified political opponents rushed through a bill limiting the number of gladiators that anyone might keep own blood sports-type when he invaded Rome in Rome218 BC.” <ref> Suetonius. <i> The Twelve Caesars.</i> Translated by Robert Graves. (LondonHe wrote: Penguin, 1972), Divus Julius, X </ref>

After another round of Civil War following “He formed his troops into a circle and had some prisoners, whom he had captured in the assassination of Caesar, Octavianmountains, brought into the nephew and adopted son middle of Caesar, took it in chains. Gallic weapons were laid on the mantle ground in front of emperor them, and changed his name an interpreter was told to ask if any of them would be willing to Augustus Caesar. Known more for fight in single combat if he were released from his erudition chains and ability to read peopleoffered a horse, both enemies and alliestogether with the weapons, Augustus followed Caesar’s footsteps as the prize of victory.” <ref> Livy. <i> The War with Hannibal: Books XXI-XXX of The History of Rome from its Foundation.</i> Translated by using a variety of different games to placate the peopleAubrey de Sélincourt. (London: Penguin, 1972), XXI, 42 </ref>

“No one before It is unknown how much Hannibal’s “games” had ever provided so manyon the Roman blood sports, so different, or such splendid public showsbut it cannot be discounted since the Roman blood sports were quite eclectic in their origins. He records By the presentation of four late Republic, gladiatorial games in his own name were highly institutionalized – the gladiators were well-trained and twenty-three in the names valuable prisoners of other magistrates war who were either absent or could not afford the expensefought in distinct styles. Sometimes plays All gladiators were shown dressed as and fought in all the various city districts and on several stagesstyle of one of Rome’s three early enemies: Samnite, Thracian, the actors speaking a variety of languages; and Gaul. These three designations were introduced at an early point but were retained as long as gladiators fought not only in the Forum or the amphitheatre, but in the Circus and Saepta as wellRome.” <ref> SuetoniusKyle, Divus Augustus, XLIIIp. 281</ref>

== What type of Gladiator matches were shown to the public?==During the Civil Wars of the second half of the last century BC and in the early years of the Roman Empire, gladiator games and beast hunts went from minor events to big business. Julius Caesar (100-44 BC), ever the astute and Augustus truly set pragmatic politician, saw the precedent potential for how using the later emperors would use games for political advantage. In his efforts to combine Roman blood sports – they would continue to grow in size and scopepolitics, truly becoming Caesar ended the “bread tradition of only holding gladiatorial games for funerals and circuses” of which they are introduced <i>naumachias</i>, staged sea battles, into amphitheaters. Caesar also became known todayfor sparing particularly skilled and popular gladiators. <ref>Kyle, p. 287</ref> The first century AD Roman biographer Suetonius noted this abrupt transition.

“During his aedileship, Caesar filled the Comitium, the Forum, its adjacent basilicas, and the Capitol itself with a display of the material he meant to use in his public shows, building temporary colonnades for the purpose. He exhibited wild-beast hunts and stage plays, some at his own expense. . . Caesar also put on a gladiatorial show. Still, he had collected so immense a troop of combatants that his terrified political opponents rushed through a bill limiting the number of gladiators that anyone might keep in Rome.” <ref> Suetonius. <i> The Twelve Caesars.</i> Translated by Robert Graves. (London: Penguin, 1972), Divus Julius, X </ref> After another round of Civil War following the assassination of Caesar, Octavian, the nephew and adopted son of Caesar, took the mantle of the emperor and changed his name to Augustus Caesar. Known more for his erudition and ability to read people, enemies, and allies, Augustus followed Caesar’s footsteps by using various games to placate the people.  “No one before had ever provided so many, so different, or such splendid public shows. He records the presentation of four games in his own name and twenty-three in the names of other magistrates who were either absent or could not afford the expense. Sometimes plays were shown in all the various city districts. On several stages, the actors speaking a variety of languages and gladiators fought not only in the Forum or the amphitheater but also in the Circus and Saepta as well.” <ref> Suetonius, Divus Augustus, XLIII</ref> Julius Caesar and Augustus truly set a precedent for how the later emperors would use blood sports – they would continue to grow in size and scope, truly becoming the “bread and circuses” of which they are known today. ===Blood Sports and Why did the number of Gladiator games increase as the Later Emperors=Roman Empire faltered? ==

As Rome’s political, social, and economic problems continued to increase, succeeding emperors increased the games' number and frequency of the games. For example, under the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (ruled AD 161-180), often thought of as one of the most enlightened emperors, state -funded games comprised 135 days of the 230 -day festival schedule. <ref> Kyle, p. 301</ref> The games became so big that even some emperors, Caligula and Commodus , for example, personally took part. Although those two are among the least popular, corrupt, and ineffective of Rome’s emperors, their involvement demonstrates the increasing cultural importance of the blood sports. And as the games became more popular, they also became more complex in some ways.

By the early Roman Empire, the The Romans' compartmentalized thinking of the Romans was on full display in their scheduling of blood sportsby the early Roman Empire, which usually followed a regular, day -long schedule. The events would usually begin in the morning with a beast hunt, or mass execution via animals. The violent spectacles would be interrupted by dancing or athletic competitions at lunch, which was then followed by the main event of gladiatorial combat. Group battles, which were usually fought by condemned criminals who were not true gladiators, were conducted just before the gladiator battles if there were any scheduled for the day. <ref>Kyle, pgs. 312-14</ref> These events could be held in any of the thousands of amphitheaters in Roman territory, but the most visible stadium was of course the Colosseum in Rome.

Construction on the Colosseum first began under the rule of the Emperor Vespasian rule (reigned AD 69-79) and was completed in AD 80 by his successor and son, Titus (ruled AD 79-81). The famous stadium was a state of the art facility, with the capacity to hold 50,000 fans. It had seventy-six entrances and 160 passages to make movement easier , and on hot and sunny days , there was an adjustable canvass awning that covered the stands. <ref> Scarre, Chris. <i>The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome.</i> (London: Penguin, 1995), p. 83</ref>

The size of the Colosseum allowed for a seemingly endless line of blood sports to take place. Thousands of gladiators fought on its soil , and even more , animals were killed for the amusement of cheering fans. In the year 107 alone, during the reign of the Emperor Trajan (ruled AD 98-117), it is estimated that as many as 11,000 animals were killed in hunts and various other games. <ref> Scarre, p. 82</ref> Truly, by the second century AD , Roman blood sports had evolved into a major industry that was an important part of the culture.

===Conclusion===Blood sports Bloodsports are perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Roman culture to many modern people. The idea of men fighting to the death for the entertainment of others may be difficult to understand. Still, but an examination of the primary sources reveals that it was a logical evolution. From small, modest events, gladiatorial games and beast hunts were an occasional past time during the Roman Republic but . Still, they became a major industry when the early emperors realized that they could be used to keep the people content. Truly, the idea of “bread and circuses” did not happen overnight in Rome but was part of a long and sometimes well-thought -out process.

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