Gladiator

one of the cla of men whose profe ion was to fight in —_ lic for the entertainment of the people. They were armed with deadly weapons and usually fought in pairs. The numbers of these men were principally recruited from prisoners of war, or refractory slaves sold by their masters to the lanista, or trainer. Malefactors also were occasionally forced into fighting as gladiators, and occasionally Roman citizens offered themselves voluntarily for hire, and to such the specific term “ auctorati” was applied, their pay being called “ auctora- Mentum.” Under the more worthle and di olute emperors, equites, priests and senators did not scruple to contend in the arena, in the hope of attracting the attention and ae the, favor of the prince; and even highborn women were found who consented to pander to the appetite for novelty, by fighting with each other or with dwarfs. Gladiators were divided into cla es according to the manner in which they were equipped, and were in many cases named from the nation whose characteristic arms they bore. The representatives of different nations were frequently matched against each other, and the comparative efficiency of their weapons, offensive and defensive, was thus pat to the test. If-one of the comatants was wounded so as to be unable to continue the fight, the life or death of the wounded man, who held up his finger in token of submi ion, depended upon the pleasure of the president, who usually, as a matter of courtesy, referred it to the spectators, who signified their decision by raising or depre ing their thumbs, according as they wished him to be killed or saved.