Final answer:
Gladiators in ancient Rome were mostly slaves or prisoners of war trained to fight in the arena, admired for their bravery yet looked down upon for their social status. They occasionally fought to the death, with their fate sometimes decided by the audience or the emperor. Roman elites sometimes fought as gladiators despite laws against it, drawn by the glory and Roman virtues associated with the spectacle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The life of a gladiator in Rome was complex and filled with contrasts. Gladiators were often slaves, prisoners of war, or condemned criminals who were forced into the role of professional fighters. The first recorded gladiatorial combat took place in 264 BCE as part of funeral munera. Over time, these battles became highly popular public spectacles. As members of a gladiatorial school, or familia, they were trained by a lanista to fight in the arena, which they did a few times a year. Although gladiators were considered infamis, or having a low social status, they were still admired by many Romans for their bravery and strength, embodying the Roman virtues of virtus. This dual perception often put Romans in an odd position, respecting the gladiators for the values they represented, yet looking down upon them for their social class. Matches between gladiators were not always to the death, and the crowd's reaction, as well as the emperor’s gestures, could influence the fate of the combatants. The most successful could become popular and somewhat wealthy.
Despite the low social status and dangerous life, some Roman elites voluntarily fought as gladiators, attracted by the glory and virtus associated with the arena. Famous examples include fights during spectacles sponsored by Julius Caesar. The allure of the gladiatorial games was such that even laws restricting elites from participating in the arena could not dampen their enthusiasm.