The End of A Battle

At the end of a battle, the defeated gladiator either could either surrender to death at the hands of their opponent, or beg the emperor for mercy. In order to do this, the gladiator would raise a finger of their left hand. 

The emperor would then ask the spectators what they wanted to happen to the fallen gladiator. The crowds would chant, wave handkerchiefs and make hand gestures to tell the emperor what they wanted. The emperor would then decide the defeated gladiator's fate. If the emperor gave a thumbs up signal and shouted 'Mitte!', the gladiator was allowed to live to fight another fight, but if they gave a thumbs down signal, the gladiator was killed. If the fallen gladiator fought well and put up a good fight, it was likely that he would be saved.

After the fate of the defeated gladiator was decided, the victorious gladiator would receive prizes of palm branches and money. 

DID YOU KNOW... If a gladiator was killed, his weapons and armour were repaired and given ot another fighter.