Return to Lesson

Gladiators in the Roman Empire Fact-Matching Game

Turn off ads with a Pro Membership!

Summoning Knowledge...

About This Challenge

Gladiators in the Roman Empire were skilled fighters who entertained audiences in epic battles to the death.

  • Gladiators were typically slaves or prisoners of war forced to fight for their lives.
  • They trained rigorously to become skilled in combat with various weapons and fighting styles.
  • Gladiator games were a popular form of entertainment in ancient Rome, attracting large crowds to the arenas.

Game Details: a fact-matching game where you piece together important information fragments. Use spells for hints and extra time!

Need a Hint? View the Facts
  • Gladiators were typically slaves or prisoners of war, but some volunteers also fought in the arena.
  • There were different types of gladiators, each with their own weapons and fighting styles.
  • Gladiators were often trained at special schools known as ludi.
  • Gladiators were seen as celebrities in Roman society, with some even becoming quite wealthy and famous.
  • Gladiator fights were held in arenas such as the Colosseum in Rome, which could hold tens of thousands of spectators.
  • Some gladiator fights were to the death, while others were more like sporting events with predetermined outcomes.
  • Gladiators were often given stage names based on their fighting styles or characteristics.
  • Gladiators would sometimes have sponsors who paid for their training and equipment in exchange for a share of their winnings.
  • Gladiators sometimes had to fight wild animals in the arena, such as lions, tigers, and bears.
  • Gladiator fights were often used as a form of entertainment and distraction for the Roman people.
  • Some emperors, such as Nero, would even participate in gladiator fights themselves.
  • Gladiators were sometimes given the opportunity to earn their freedom by winning a certain number of fights.
  • Gladiators were often seen as symbols of Roman virtues such as courage, discipline, and loyalty.
  • Gladiator fights could be quite brutal, with injuries and deaths not uncommon.
  • Some gladiators were women, known as gladiatrices, who fought in specially designated arenas.
  • Gladiators were often depicted in works of art and literature, such as the famous gladiator mosaics found in Pompeii.
  • The training and equipment of gladiators were expensive, and their owners would invest a lot of money in their upkeep.
  • Gladiators would salute the emperor before a fight, saying 'Ave Caesar, morituri te salutant' ('Hail, Caesar, those who are about to die salute you').
  • Gladiators were well-fed and well-cared for, as their owners wanted them to be in peak physical condition for their fights.
  • Gladiator fights continued in the Roman Empire until the 5th century AD, when they were finally banned by the Christian emperor Honorius.

Need a Refresher?

Return to the Main Lesson
Scroll to Top