gladiator

Colosseum sword wielder

A gladiator was a professional fighter in ancient Rome who battled other gladiators, wild animals, or condemned criminals for public entertainment, typically in an arena.

Most were slaves, prisoners of war, or criminals, though some free men volunteered.

The fights were often to the death.

The term now describes anyone who engages in fierce public competition: a gladiator in the courtroom, political gladiators.

arena

amphitheater

Open-air tiered venue

  • sandFine rock particles
  • combatArmed hostile engagement
  • gamesOrganized competitive activities

beasts · spectators · trident · net · venatio · greave · shield · sword · helmet · arena

slavery

slave

Owned human, forced laborer

servitude · chains · auction · master · barracks · training · condemned · criminal · ownership · rebellion

film

Spartacus

Rebel gladiator of antiquity

revenge · blockbuster · soundtrack · costume · historical · drama · sword-and-sandal · cinematic · iconic · theatrical

spectacle

crowd

Large public gathering

entertainment · exhibition · glory · pageantry · victory · chariot · procession · blood · death · cheering

warrior

legionary

Roman military serviceman

soldier · swordsman · fighter · champion · combatant · veteran · arms · armor · weapons · training

combat

fight

Physical or verbal conflict

  • duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
  • meleeDisordered group skirmish
  • clashViolent disagreement or collision

strike · parry · thrust · wound · blood · kill · defeat · victory · opponent · adversary

valor

bravery

Boldness before danger

fearlessness · honor · glory · defiance · resolve · mettle · grit · boldness · nerve · daring

survival

endurance

Sustained effort capacity

grit · tenacity · struggle · adversity · instinct · desperation · will · determination · toughness · cunning

Categories
Opposites
combatant status

gladiatorspectator

Observer at an event

bystander · onlooker · observer · noncombatant · patron

warrior courage/toughness

gladiatorcoward

Person lacking bravery

weakling · wuss · sissy · milquetoast · wimp

social freedom

gladiatorpatrician

Highborn Roman elite

emperor · senator · master · nobleman · slave owner

Phrases
Family

gladiators, gladiatorial

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG