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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>

[[File: Gladiators_from_the_Zilten_mosaic.jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Mosaic Depicting Gladiators Fighting and a Referee]]__NOTOC__The earliest depictions gladiatorial games of gladiatorial combat in Italy ancient Rome are the sowell-called Campanian gladiator frescoes, which are dated known today due to the fourth century BC. Although there is no text that accompanies numerous films produced over the frescoes, it is believed that last few decades where they show part of play a funeral game probably fought by volunteers to the first bloodshedrole. Many other early The gladiators were probably prisoners ' fictional accounts show many truthful elements of war forced to fight in funeral the games, which then evolved into skilled, professional fighters. The name “gladiator” is derived but often mix different events from the name of the sword many various periods of the early gladiators used in the names, the <i>gladius</i>, indication the martial background of the activity. <ref> Kyle, pRoman history. 271</ref>

===Gladiator Games in The reality is that the Roman Republic===The first gladiatorial games recorded played a major role in Rome took place Roman culture from the early days of the Republic and the days of decline in 264 BC, when the sons of Decimus Junius Brutus organized an event for their recently deceased fatherEmpire. <ref> KyleArchaeological, p. 273</ref> After those gamesart historical, there are no more records and textual evidence have allowed modern scholars to trace the evolution of the gladiatorial events in Rome until 216 BC, probably because the Romans games from small private occasions that were too preoccupied associated with religion and rituals to the increasingly tenuous geo-political situation with Carthagemajor events most people think of, which eventually led were for the most part designed to keep the Second Punic War (218-202 BC). Interestingly, people content and to eliminate enemies of the historian Livy wrote that the Carthaginian general Hannibal conducted his own type of blood sports when he invaded Rome in 218 BCstate. He wrote:

“He formed his troops into ====Gladiatorial Games Defined====[[File: Fighting_gladiator.jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Mosaic of a circleBeast Hunt or <i>Venatio</i>]]When one thinks of gladiatorial events today, images of men fighting each other with nets and had some prisonerstridents often first come to mind. Still, whom he had captured in the mountainsfor many, brought into the middle images of it in chainsmen fighting ferocious big cats and other animals are also evoked. Gallic weapons were laid on the ground in front of themActually, gladiatorial games and an interpreter was told to ask if any of them would be willing to fight in single combat if he beast hunts were released from his chains and offered a horse, together with the weaponstwo different events, but they were both known as the prize of victory.” <ref> Livy. <i> The War with Hannibal: Books XXI-XXX of The History of Rome form its Foundation.munera</i> Translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt, which translated from Latin means “blood sports. (London: Penguin, 1972), XXI, 42 </ref>”

It is unknown how much Hannibal’s “games” had on the Bloodsports became a hallmark of Roman blood sportsculture from an early point, but it cannot be discounted since another trademark of Roman culture was the Roman tendency to categorize things, which the Romans did with their blood sports were quite eclectic in their origins. By the late Republic gladiatorial games were highly institutionalized – the gladiators were well-trained and valuable prisoners The blood sport of war, who fought in distinct styles. All gladiators were dressed as hunting and fought in the style of one of Rome’s three early enemies: Samnitekilling animals for crowds, Thracian, and Gaul. These three designations were introduced at an early point but were retained known as long as gladiators fought in Rome. <refi> Kyle, p. 281venation</refi> , is known from the Roman Republic era (509-first century BC), often playing a prominent role in military triumphs and public shows.

===Gladiator Games and Beast Hunts in Although the Early Empire===During Romans made beast hunting into a public event, its origins can be traced back to the Civil Wars of Near East, where the second half kings of the last century BC and in the early years of the Roman EmpireEgypt, Assyria, gladiator games and beast hunts went from being minor events other kingdoms killed lions to big businessdemonstrate their power and virility. Julius Caesar (100-44 BC)<ref> Kyle, ever the astute Donald G. <i>Sport and pragmatic politician, saw Spectacle in the potential for using the games for political advantageAncient World. In his efforts to combine Roman blood sports and politics, Caesar ended the tradition of only holding gladiatorial games for funerals and introduced </i>naumachias(Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell, 2007), p. 264</iref>The first public beast hunt to be held in Rome took place in 186 BC, staged sea battlesand from that point on, into they became a regular occurrence in the amphitheatersaround the city. Caesar also became known for sparing particularly skilled The men hunting and killing the animals were usually free and popular gladiatorsprofessionals, but part of the entertainer class, so they were low on the Roman social scale. <ref>Kyle, ppgs. 287268-9</ref> The first century AD gladiatorial games' development is a bit harder to trace, although they also became a part of the Roman biographer Suetonius noted this abrupt transitionculture at an early point.

“During his aedileshipThe earliest depictions of gladiatorial combat in Italy are the so-called Campanian gladiator frescoes, Caesar filled dated to the Comitium, fourth century BC. Although no text accompanies the Forumfrescoes, its adjacent basilicas and it is believed that they show part of a funeral game probably fought by volunteers to the Capitol itself with a display first bloodshed. Many other early gladiators were probably prisoners of the material which he meant war forced to use fight in his public showsfuneral games, building temporary colonnades for the purpose. He exhibited wild-beast hunts and stage playswhich then evolved into skilled, some at his own expenseprofessional fighters. . . Caesar also put on a gladiatorial show, but had collected so immense a troop The name “gladiator” is derived from the name of combatants that his terrified political opponents rushed through a bill limiting the number sword many of the early gladiators that anyone might keep used in Rome.” the names, the <refi> Suetonius. gladius</i> The Twelve Caesars, indicating the martial background of the activity.</iref> Translated by Robert GravesKyle, p. (London: Penguin, 1972), Divus Julius, X 271</ref>

After another round of Civil War following == When did Gladiator Games begin in the Roman Republic? ==The first gladiatorial games recorded in Rome took place in 264 BC when the assassination sons of CaesarDecimus Junius Brutus organized an event for their recently deceased father. <ref> Kyle, Octavianp. 273</ref> After those games, the nephew and adopted son there are no more records of Caesargladiatorial events in Rome until 216 BC, took probably because the Romans were too preoccupied with the mantle of emperor and changed his name increasingly tenuous geopolitical situation with Carthage, which eventually led to Augustus Caesarthe Second Punic War (218-202 BC). Known more for his erudition and ability to read peopleInterestingly, both enemies and allies, Augustus followed Caesar’s footsteps by using a variety of different games to placate the peoplehistorian Livy wrote that the Carthaginian general Hannibal conducted his own blood sports-type when he invaded Rome in 218 BC. He wrote:

“No one before “He formed his troops into a circle and had ever provided so manysome prisoners, so differentwhom he had captured in the mountains, or such splendid public shows. He records brought into the presentation middle of four games in his own name and twenty-three it in the names of other magistrates who were either absent or could not afford the expensechains. Sometimes plays Gallic weapons were shown in all the various city districts and laid on several stages, the actors speaking a variety ground in front of languages; them, and gladiators fought not only an interpreter was told to ask if any of them would be willing to fight in single combat if he were released from his chains and offered a horse, together with the Forum or the amphitheatreweapons, but in as the Circus and Saepta as wellprize of victory.” <ref> SuetoniusLivy. <i> The War with Hannibal: Books XXI-XXX of The History of Rome from its Foundation.</i> Translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt. (London: Penguin, 1972), Divus AugustusXXI, XLIII42 </ref>

Julius Caesar and Augustus truly set It is unknown how much Hannibal’s “games” had on the precedent for how Roman blood sports, but it cannot be discounted since the later emperors would use Roman blood sports were quite eclectic in their origins. By the late Republic, gladiatorial games were highly institutionalized – they would continue to grow the gladiators were well-trained and valuable prisoners of war who fought in size distinct styles. All gladiators were dressed as and scopefought in the style of one of Rome’s three early enemies: Samnite, Thracian, truly becoming the “bread and circuses” of which they are known todayGaul. These three designations were introduced at an early point but were retained as long as gladiators fought in Rome. <ref> Kyle, p.281</ref>

== What type of Gladiator matches were shown to the public?==Blood Sports 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 pragmatic politician, saw the potential for using the games for political advantage. In his efforts to combine Roman blood sports and politics, Caesar ended the tradition of only holding gladiatorial games for funerals and introduced <i>naumachias</i>, staged sea battles, into amphitheaters. Caesar also became known for 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 Later EmperorsComitium, 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. ==Why did the number of Gladiator games increase as the 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. The Romans' compartmentalized thinking was on full display in their scheduling of blood sports by 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 the Colosseum in Rome.

By Construction on the early Roman Empire, Colosseum first began under the compartmentalized thinking of the Romans Emperor Vespasian rule (reigned AD 69-79) and was on full display completed in their scheduling of blood sportsAD 80 by his successor and son, which usually followed a regular, day long scheduleTitus (ruled AD 79-81). The events would usually begin in famous stadium was a state of the morning art facility, with a beast huntthe capacity to hold 50, or mass execution via animals000 fans. The violent spectacles would be interrupted by dancing or athletic competitions at lunchIt had seventy-six entrances and 160 passages to make movement easier, which was then followed by the main event of gladiatorial combat. Group battlesand on hot and sunny days, 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 was an adjustable canvass awning that covered the daystands. <ref>KyleScarre, pgsChris. <i>The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome. 312-14</refi> These events could be held in any of the thousands of amphitheaters in Roman territory(London: Penguin, 1995), but the most visible stadium was of course the Colosseum in Romep.83</ref>

Construction on The size of the Colosseum first began under 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 rule amusement of cheering fans. In the year 107 alone, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian (reigned AD 69-79) and was completed in AD 80 by his successor and son, Titus Trajan (ruled AD 7998-81117). The famous stadium was a state of the art facility, with the capacity to hold 50it is estimated that as many as 11,000 fans. It had seventy-six entrances and 160 passages to make movement easier animals were killed in hunts and on hot and sunny days there was an adjustable canvass awning that covered the standsvarious other games. <ref> Scarre, Chris. <i>The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Romep.82</iref> (London: PenguinTruly, 1995)by the second century AD, pRoman blood sports had evolved into a major industry that was an important part of the culture. 83</ref>

The size of ==Conclusion==Bloodsports are perhaps the Colosseum allowed for a seemingly endless line most intriguing aspect of blood sports Roman culture to take placemany modern people. Thousands The idea of gladiators fought on its soil and even more animals were killed men fighting to the death for the amusement entertainment of cheering fansothers may be difficult to understand. In the year 107 aloneStill, during the reign an examination of the Emperor Trajan (ruled AD 98-117), primary sources reveals that it is estimated that as many as 11,000 animals were killed in hunts and various other gameswas a logical evolution. <ref> ScarreFrom small, p. 82</ref> Trulymodest events, by gladiatorial games and beast hunts were an occasional past time during the second century AD Roman blood sports had evolved into Republic. Still, they became a major industry when the early emperors realized that they could keep the people content. Truly, the idea of “bread and circuses” did not happen overnight in Rome but was an important part of the culturea long and sometimes well-thought-out process.

===Conclusion=References====Blood sports 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, 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 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.<references/>

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