The wonders of ancient gladiatorsThe terms 'civilized' and 'barbarian', while being paradoxes in themselves, seem to go hand in hand and inseparable in all aspects of society, both in the current developed world and its distant contemporary past. While one can easily laugh at the idiotic, yet violent, simpleton of a caveman descendant in comic cartoons, and similarly reject all the backward practices of distant tribes of a distant land, one cannot deny that even the most advanced of our species seem to embrace similar barbaric methods and means of entertainment in our everyday world. From violent films filled with murder and gruesome scenes to bloody organized sports, the modern world still seeks entertainment in the form of violence and cruelty, not much different from that enjoyed by the "glorious" world of Ancient Rome. Back then, people of all classes and ages looked forward to attending weekend games. They gathered to watch fighters, called gladiators, fight each other to the death in large arenas. This is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the Roman Empire and one that has a profound influence on the entire Roman society. life is full of risks and dangers at every turn. But even so, it's an opportunity for people to overcome social barriers and ultimately become superstars. Few have emerged glorious, and those who do face a cruel path in everyday life. Follow the journey of the successes and failures of ancient Rome's gladiators, as we trace the beginnings of this gruesome sport, the daily lives of gladiators, the hardships and stories of the l...... middle of paper. ...will have to endure negative public image, self-esteem, and discrimination in social opportunities throughout their lives. Expressions such as importunes, obscaenus, Damnatus and perditus, meaning rude, indecent, damned and hopeless respectively, were thrown at them without a second thought. And in some cases, they were compared to lowly beings, like prostitutes, criminals, or unsavory things, you know what. Even those who had adequate backgrounds and were free men before their life as gladiators cannot escape such public discrimination. When they died, gladiators weren't even given the respect they deserved. No gladiator is allowed a proper burial, unless, of course, a relative claims him and bury him for them. The same cannot be said for those of slave origins. It was inscribed in a burial site found in Sarsina, northern Italy