Gladiators were trained in special schools called ludi, where they learned how to fight with different weapons and how to defend themselves. They were also given a strict diet and exercise regimen to keep them in shape.
Gladiatorial contests were held in arenas, which were large, oval-shaped amphitheaters. The contests were often very bloody and violent, and the gladiators often fought to the death. However, some contests were more like mock battles, and the gladiators were not actually expected to kill each other.
The duties of a gladiator included fighting in contests, entertaining the crowd, and following the orders of their masters. Gladiators were often forced to fight against each other, even if they did not want to. They were also sometimes forced to fight against wild animals, such as lions, tigers, and bears.
Gladiators were often treated very poorly by their masters. They were often whipped, beaten, and even tortured. They were also given little food and water, and they were often forced to live in squalid conditions.
Despite the harsh conditions they endured, gladiators were often very popular with the Roman public. They were seen as heroes and symbols of strength and courage. Gladiatorial contests were a major source of entertainment for the Roman people, and they were one of the most popular forms of public spectacle.
Gladiatorial contests were eventually banned in the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. The ban was due in part to the influence of Christianity, which condemned the violence of gladiatorial contests. Gladiatorial contests were also becoming increasingly unpopular with the Roman public, who were beginning to find them too bloody and violent.