Here are five gladiators still remembered centuries later: Marcus AttiliusĪ free-born Roman, Attilius enrolled in gladiator school seemingly of his own volition-making him part of a small but elite pool of gladiators who volunteered to fight. But some, owing to their extravagant personalities, personal backgrounds or memorable performances, gained lasting renown via ancient artists or historians. Each warrior fought only two to three times per year, usually in events featuring 10 to 13 gladiator fights, according to Murray-with each individual match lasting about 10 to 15 minutes. It wasn’t easy for gladiators to stand out.
All told, only between 10 and 20 percent of gladiators died during matches-a reflection, in part, of their high financial value to investors. Instead, fighting progressed until one of them surrendered, usually by holding up a single finger. Before they could enter combat, gladiators trained for months in specialized schools managed by wealthy investors who profited from their fighters’ success.Ĭontrary to popular perception, gladiators didn’t necessarily battle to the death. But a small contingent were free-born citizens who volunteered in hopes of earning money and fame.
Most gladiators were enslaved people forced to fight.
