End of Life as A Gladiator

 Freedom

If a gladiator managed to avoid death, won enough battles and earned enough money there was a chance he could buy his freedom. Once freed, a Gladiator would become a 'Rudiarius' (a freed man) and would be given a 'rudis' which was a wooden sword that symbolized freedom.

Former gladiators would often take up training roles in the Ludus Gladiatorius and train future gladiators in combat.