This page will tell you about a few types of gladiators, where they came from, their fates, and their possible freedom!
Types of Gladiators
There were many types of gladiators, each having their own unique weapons and armor for the battles. Some gladiators, like the Samnite/Secutor and the Murmillo, were heavily armed and usually wouldn't fight each other. Instead, they would be matched up against more lightly-armed gladiators including the Retiarius and the Thracian.
Samnite/Secutor:
A Samnite, or Secutor, was a heavily armed gladiator with an Oblong shield, a helmet with a visor, large crest, and plume, and a short sword; they also wore a metal or leather greave on their left leg.
 | This is a drawing of a Samnite, displaying the shield, helmet, sword, and greave.
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Thracian
Thracians were considered to be lightly-armed as their weapons consisted of a small round shield and a curved scimitar (sword).
Gladiators would have different supporters who cheered them on. Some supporters of Thracians included Emperor Titus and Emperor Caligula.
Murmillo
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Retiarius
Retiarius, or "net man," were lightly armed, having only a net, a dagger, and a trident to defend themselves. However, the fact that they were light on their feet gave them an advantage against their heavily armed competitors, usually the Samnite.
The image above shows a Retiarius, missing his net, fighting a Saminite.
Other Fighters
Bestiarii
Bestariarii, people who fought wild animals, were also a huge part of the games. They provided tremendous entertainment, as hunts would be stimulated in what was called "bestiae." They would fight animals such as lions, tigers, bears, bulls, hippopotami, elephants, crocodiles, deer, pigs,and even ostriches.
Where Gladiators came from
Gladiators were from many different backgrounds.
Criminals
Those who were sentenced to death could be purchased to fight, unarmed, to the death with other criminals, or they could be thrown to wild animals for the crowd's entertainment.
Those who were accused of lesser crimes would be purchased and sent to gladiatorial school, where they would learn the art of fighting like a gladiator.
Slaves
Some gladiators were slaves who were acquired through war conquests of the Roman army.
Volunteers
Believe it or not, some gladiators were actually volunteers, Roman citizens who saw the need to compete in these games. Most of them were thinking of the rewards they would get if they won, but they probably didn't think about the consequences of losing!
Fate of the defeated
The fate of the defeated gladiators rested in the hands of the spectators. Those enjoying the fight were able to choose whether or not a conquered gladiator would live or be put to death. If the gladiator had won favor in the eyes of the spectators, they would wave handkerchiefs, meaning that he should live. Then the emperor would signal for the release of the defeated.
Some, however, were not that lucky! A simple thumbs down from the crowd would call for the crushed to be killed quickly.
Freedom
Those lucky few gladiators who won the games would be richly rewarded
They would receive the wooden sword of freedom, "rudis." (Even the slaves would receive freedom.) However, they would have to fight for a long period of time before they would acquire freedom.
Veteran gladiators could also become overseers of gladiatorial schools, where they would teach newcomers to train and (hopefully) to win!
