Types of Gladiators: There were many categories of gladiators, who were distinguished by the kind of armor they wore, the weapons they used, and their style of fighting. Most gladiators stayed in one category, and matches usually involved two different categories of gladiator. The following examples will illustrate some of the different types of gladiators which modern scholars have identified:

• Thracian: Wide-brimmed crested helmet with visor, high greaves on both legs, arm protector, very small shield, and short, curved sword (similar to Spartacus); the victorious gladiator in this mosaic is a Thracian.
• Secutor: Egg-shaped helmet with round eye-holes, greave on one leg, arm protector, legionary-style shield and sword (scutum andgladius); see the small black helmet in the above image and the victorious gladiator in this mosaic. The secutor was called a “chaser,” probably because he was frequently paired with the retiarius, who used running as one of his tactics.
• Retiarius (“net-and-trident” fighter): Arm protector (often topped with a high metal shoulder protector), large net, trident, small dagger, no helmet; the retiarius was the only type of gladiator whose head and face were uncovered. Since he wore practically no defensive armor, the retiarius was more mobile than most gladiators but was also more vulnerable to serious wounds. Looking at the retiarius in this mosaic, one has to ask, “Why is this man smiling?” because the secutor appears about to stab him.
• Bestiarius: This was a special type of gladiator trained to handle and fight all sorts of animals. The bestiarii were the lowest ranking gladiators; they did not become as popular or individually well known as other types of gladiators. Although this relief depicts bestiariiwearing armor, most depictions show them without armor, equipped with whips or spears, wearing cloth or leather garments and leggings.

(got information from www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/arena.html )

Gladiator Shoes

The Gladiator Shoes. This century hasn't forgotten about gladiators. Imagine them wearing these into the colosseum. Would definitly add some class.

Spartacus (c. 109 BC-71 BC)

The Roman slave, possibly a prisoner of war from Thrace, who sparked a rebellion of slaves who fought against the might of the Roman Army. Spartacus was sold as a slave to the lanista Lentulus Batiatus of a gladiatorial school (ludus) near Capua. Spartacus was trained as a gladiator and used his skills to fight the Romans. His chief aides were gladiators from Gaul, named Crixus and Oenomaus.

Gladiator School

The earliest named gladiator school (s. ludus; pl. ludi) is that of Aurelius Scaurus, the lanista at Capua, in Campania.
Above is a model of Rome's Great Gladiatorial Training School (Ludus Magnus) which was built by the emporer Domitian.

• Roman Gladiators were paid after every fight

     Gladiators were paid alot of money after every fight if they survive and would be freed after 3-5 years. Most Roman gladiators became very wealthy and lived a very luxurious live after they were freed. Some nobles and normal citizens wanted to become gladiators because they wanted fame, wealth or both, even though it meant pain and death. Also, some gladiators stayed in the arena even if they were freed because they wanted to become wealthier, more fame, or they liked killing. 

Romans citizens legally derogated as infamus sold themselves to lanistaeand were known as auctorati. Their social status was neither that of volunteers nor condemned criminals, or slaves. Condemned criminals, thedamnati ad mortem who committed a capital crime, entered the gladiatorial arena weaponless. Those criminals who did not commit a capital crime were trained in private gladiator schools, ludi. At these private and imperial schools, gladiators became specialist in combat techniques that disabled and captured their opponents rather than killed them quickly. Criminals trained in gladiator schools fought with the weapons and armor of their choice and could earn their freedom if they survived three to five years of combat. Though a gladiator was only required to fight two or three times a year, few survived the three to five years.

In general, gladiators were condemned criminals, prisoners of war, or slaves bought for the purpose of gladiatorial combat by a lanista, or owner of gladiators. Professional gladiators were free men who volunteered to participate in the games. In The Satyricon, Petronius suggested that Roman crowds preferred combat by free men over that of slaves. For example, the character of Echion is excited about games in which free men, "not a slave in the batch," will fight. Though low on the social scale, free men often found popularity and patronage of wealthy Roman citizens by becoming gladiators. The emperor Augustus sought to preserve the pietas and virtus of the knight class and Roman senate by forbidding them to participate in gladiatorial combat. Later, Caligula and Nero would order both groups to participate in the games.

•  Most people would watch gladiator fights in arena's, colosseum  or amphitheatres.

   They watched it in arena's and amphitheatres because those two places are big enough to fit a lot of people, and a lot of people went to gladiator fights. A lot of people went to gladiator fights because fighting one another and other animals was a main sport in Roman days.  Colosseums were some of the most used places for gladiators to fight. The amphitheatre was the one place in which the execution of justice was uniquely visible to all classes, and in which all classes were mutually visible. Its layout separated and distanced them from the "pollution" of the arena. It was also one of the few places in which crowd and editor could assess each others character and temperament, and freely express their mutual pleasure or displeasure – for most spectators.

• Roman Gladiators were paid after every fight

     Gladiators were paid alot of money after every fight if they survive and would be freed after 3-5 years. Most Roman gladiators became very wealthy and lived a very luxurious live after they were freed. Some nobles and normal citizens wanted to become gladiators because they wanted fame, wealth or both, even though it meant pain and death. Also, some gladiators stayed in the arena even if they were freed because they wanted to become wealthier, more fame, or they liked killing. 

Diary Entry

Dear Diary,

Today is C.E. 200, another harsh and tiring day in the Coliseum. Today was considered a pretty good day, I didn't get injured like one of my fellow gladiators Bob. Bob was a good gladiator, but people thought he was a useless slave and accidently threw him out of the Coliseum. He only got minor injuries, he broke 10 bones, and badly sprained his arm and ankle. It was nothing like the huge body cast I had 2 years ago. I have finally recovered from that and I just started fighting 10 days ago. Boss says tomorrow, we will be fighting lions, I am very scared of this because I might die and not be able to get back to my lovely wife and wonderful children. I haven't seen them for 5 years. We also had a new man added to our circle of gladiators. His name is Pepy, and he is so weak that he can't even lift a tiny stool, and so dumb that he is actually excited for fighting hungry lions! I am happy that he is here because when we fight, I can easily beat him.

Right now, I miss my family a lot. My four kids Nicholas, Emily, Louisa, and Iris are only around 12 years old. I also miss my wife too, I hope she doesn't have to see what I'm like right now because she wouldn't recognize me through all these painful bruises, cuts, and burns from the collesium and my master's whip.

Boss says that I am the best out of the bunch, but I know way better. The last time he said that to a gladiator, the gladiator ended up fighting 5 different lions and died a slow and painful death. I feel chills every time I walk past the amphitheater now. Will I die? I don't know, but I'm trusting my goddess Venus to guide me through this rough time. Uh-oh, I see Boss coming, if he sees me writing again, he will punish me with his huge whip. I'm in pain even thinking about it. I wonder what he will make me do this time but I don't have any time for thinking. Better go!

- Irinickal Emlou