Not all gladiators were slaves

Not all gladiators were slaves is one of the interesting facts about gladiators in the Roman Empire. While most of the early combatants were enslaved people and people who had committed crimes, inscriptions show that by the 1st century AD, demographics had begun to change. Lured by the thrill of battle and the crowd cheers, the free men began voluntarily signing contracts with gladiator schools in the hope of winning glory and prize money. These freedom fighters are often desperate men or skilled combat veterans, but some are patriots, knights, and even senators who want to prove their warrior pedigree.

Traditionally, gladiators were chosen slaves or conquered. Usually selected for their physical strength, they are hand-picked and trained as gladiators. Most gladiators were slaves, former slaves, or people born fighting under contract with a manager. They are often ranked below prostitutes, actors, and pimps, and are often seen as moral and social outcasts. But that's not all. However, not all gladiators were slaves, when gladiator games became widespread, many gladiators were free working-class men willing to sign up to participate. Lured by the popularity, crowds, money, and potential prizes to be won, some gladiator schools have accepted volunteers.