Unlike some beliefs, not all gladiators are slaves or criminals.
Only one gladiator, who survived an extraordinary 150 bouts, survived more than 10 death fights that most gladiators do. During an age when extravagant entertainment was particularly hard to come by, Rome's best arena provided more thrills to spectators than other attraction of the age. How is life as a gladiator Life is great and tough like an athlete, except for the death rate of around 20 in the arena. As the largest amphitheater of the ancient world, it's not hard to understand why the Colosseum was the only arena that truly mattered in the city. However, to most of those living in Rome at the time, the Colosseum was simply called 'the arena' or 'cavea,' the term used for stadium seating. Origins of the Gladiator Games Roman Gladiators were both Slaves and Free Men Gladiators had their Own Training Schools The Lifespan of a Roman Gladiator. The arena also had other less common names, such as 'hunting theater' and 'Ovum,' meaning 'the Egg.' The name 'Colosseum' originated centuries later around the 11th century A.D., which may have come from the colossal statue of Emperor Nero that was located just outside the amphitheater.
But like all emperors, the Flavians were called Caesar while they ruled, so the grand arena was most likely referred to as 'Caesar's Amphitheater' during their reigns. In the days of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum would have been known officially as the Flavian Amphitheater, named after the emperor who had it built, Vespasian, and the Flavian Dynasty he started in the late first century A.D.
