Have you ever wondered what would posses a man to fight another man for no reason, but for the kill? It was all started by the Etruscans in Rome during 264 B.C. when the sons of Junius Brutus honored their father at his funeral by matching three pairs of gladiators. Gladiatorial shows were originally put on as a religious ceremony in honor of men that have died and that were liked well respected. The men would fight to the death, so the deceased would have armed assistants accompany them into the "next world". Gladiators were originally criminals, prisoners of war, or slaves bought specifically for this purpose; however occasionally a common man would enter the events in hopes to gain power and respect from his fellow people. The popularity of these ceremonies caused a chain of events or games that took place every year for ten to twelve days.
The gladiatorial games became immensely promoted and advertised to raise public attention. Descriptions of upcoming contests, appeared on walls and on the grave stones beside main roads. The opening ceremonies began the day before the fights. It was then that the supporter of the show donated a exquisite feast to the contestants about to appear on the following day. The proceedings of the day began with a chariot drive and parade. Led and presented by the sponsor of the games. The gladiators displayed themselves in uniforms topped by cloaks dyed purple with gold embroidery. Climbing down their chariots, they marched around the arena, followed by slaves carrying their arms and armor. Gladiators, especially those who belonged to the emperor's own troop, were often finely equipped. When the combatants arrived opposite the emperor's platform, they extended their right hands towards him and cried "Hail, emperor, greetings from men about to die!" (Ave, imperator, morituri te salutant!). This sentence was addressed only on one occasion to Claudius by condemned criminals who were about to participate in a naumachia, a staged naval battle.
