The Indentured Roman Gladiator Statue, Gladiators (from Latin gladiatores) were both professional and amateur fighters in ancient Rome who fought for the entertainment of its "civilized" spectators. Gladiators were typically recruited from criminals, slaves, and prisoners of war. If selected for such duty, having lost, or never had, the rights of a citizen, there was no choice but to comply for these "recruits". Some free-born men as well, although they had not lost their citizen rights, voluntarily chose the profession and pledged themselves to the owner of a gladiatorial troupe by swearing an oath "to endure branding, chains, flogging or death by the sword". It has been estimated that by the end of the Republic, about half of the gladiators were volunteers, who took on the status of a slave for an agreed-upon period of time, similar to indentured servitude that was common in the late second millennium. By taking the gladiator's oath, agreeing to be treated as a slave and suffered the ultimate social disgrace . The potential advantages could outweigh the alternatives. Aside from the potential for public fame and fortune, including liaisons with Roman women of aristocratic status, the gladiator recruit became a member of a cohesive group that was known for its courage, good morale, and absolute fidelity to its master to the point of death. Life became a model of military discipline and through courageous behavior he was also now capable of achieving honor similar to that enjoyed by Roman soldiers on the battlefield.

Indentured Roman Gladiator   st3103