There were no doubts of religious tendency, but the purpose of Roman spectacles, were a public display of power, that power was primarily military, and also to compensate the soft Greek culture which now was abroad. ... They were generally derived from the lowest ranking category of free persons, namely the freedman who had themselves been slaves or were the son of slaves. ... Generally regarded as the prototypes of all Rome's gladiators, they are said to have come into existence after its Samnite enemies introduced a splendid new type of military equipment in 310 BC....

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• Approx Pages: 13
• Grade Level: High School