Becoming a Gladiator 

Most gladiators did not choose this career; they were originally slaves or criminals. Often, when the Roman Army conquered other countries, they captured tribespeople and took them back to Rome either as slaves or prisoners.

Gladiator trainers would attend slave markets and buy men who looked fit and strong. They would then take them back to their gladiator schools where they would house them, feed them and train them in combat. These slave-gladiators were kept locked up like prisoners and had to fight at their trainers command in order to earn them money.

Some men volunteered to train as gladiators for a chance of fame and glory as the most successful gladiators became celebrities. Others volunteers included rich dare-devils who enjoyed the thill and danger. Gladiators who volunteered were paid for their services and were usually very skilled fighters.

Some historians have found evidence that women also fought as gladiators, however this was quite rare.