Rome's Colosseum - The Gladiators Fight

Every bout did not result in the death of a gladiator. If one were killed, the game's sponsor had to pay for his replacement.

If a gladiator won a match, and came through without serious injuries, he could be paid the equivalent of a Roman soldier's annual salary. If a gladiator died, he would be given a proper burial.

What we know about the gladiators themselves often comes from their tomb stones. Many had wives and children, and their families sometimes received compensation when their breadwinner died.

By 79 A.D., the Colosseum was nearing completion. The emperor's son Titus, who had trained as a gladiator when he was young, was running the project. He wanted everything to be perfect for the opening games.

Credits

This video clip, from the BBC's documentary Colosseum - Rome's Arena of Death, includes a recreated gladiator fight.  Online, courtesy BBC Worldwide Channel at YouTube.