When did Gladiatorial Shows Begin?
The common belief among Romans was that the first gladiatorial show took place in 264 BC. Slaves were forced to fight at the funeral of Junius Brutus Pera to honor him. Because of this, gladiators began to fight at funerals. Eventually, many families wanted gladiatorial games to be held more often. These were the start of more frequent gladiatorial games.
The first games that were held at funerals were almost religious. As the games became more and more common, they became political. Senators and other prominent figures could use them to gain popularity in upcoming elections.
By first century AD, gladiatorial shows were a common, popular, frequent form of entertainment for the Roman Republic.
Julius Caesar organised a show after the death of his daughter that featured 320 matches. It was starting to become a problem. After this, the Senate took control of the games and a new era began- the Roman Empire. With more restrictions, this is the form of gladiatorial games that contiinued until the end of the Roman Empire.
The first games that were held at funerals were almost religious. As the games became more and more common, they became political. Senators and other prominent figures could use them to gain popularity in upcoming elections.
By first century AD, gladiatorial shows were a common, popular, frequent form of entertainment for the Roman Republic.
Julius Caesar organised a show after the death of his daughter that featured 320 matches. It was starting to become a problem. After this, the Senate took control of the games and a new era began- the Roman Empire. With more restrictions, this is the form of gladiatorial games that contiinued until the end of the Roman Empire.