Historical Evolution of sports Historical Evolucion of sports researchpdf | Page 13

A gladiator (Latin: gladiator, "swordsman", from gladius, "sword") was an armed
combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman
Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and
condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their legal
and social standing and their lives by appearing in the arena. Most were
despised as slaves, schooled under harsh conditions, socially marginalized, and
segregated even in death.
Irrespective of their origin, gladiators offered audiences an example of Rome's
Marti athletics and, in fighting or dying well; they could inspire admiration and
popular acclaim. They were celebrated in high and low art, and their values
entertainers were commemorated in precious and common place objects
throughout the Roman world.
The origin of gladiatorial combats open to debate. There is evidence of it in
funeral rites during the Punic Wars of the 3rd century BC, and there after it
rapidly became an essential feature of politics and social life in the Roman
world. Its popularity led to its use in ever more lavish and costly spectacles or
"gladiatorial games".
The games reached their peak between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century,
and they finally declined during the early 5th century after the adoption of
Christianity as state religion in the 390s, although "beast hunts" (venationes)
were continued into the 6th century.
HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF SPORTS
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