This page cannot be viewed in frames

Go to page

If you have found a spelling error, please, notify us by selecting that text and pressing Ctrl+Enter.

When did first gladiator fight take place?

This post is also available in: Polish (polski)

Roman mosaic showing fight of gladiators
Mosaic showing the fight of gladiators

In ancient Rome, gladiatorial struggles appeared for the first time probably in the year 264 BCE. At the time, at the funeral of senator Decimius Junius Brutus Pera, which took place at the Forum Boarium, six warriors (three clashes) fought to commemorate the deceased.

Among the gladiators were also two sons of an aristocrat – Marcus and Decimius. The first performance of gladiators is mentioned by Titus Livy and Valerius Maximus. After this event, the gladiators’ struggles immediately became one of the most popular Roman entertainments.

Fights of gladiators

Sources
  • Katherine E. Welch, The Roman Amphitheatre: From Its Origins to the Colosseum

IMPERIUM ROMANUM needs your support!

If you like the content that I collect on the website and that I share on social media channels I will be grateful for the support. Even the smallest amounts will allow me to pay for further corrections, improvements on the site and pay the server.

Support IMPERIUM ROMANUM!

Support IMPERIUM ROMANUM!

Find out more!

Check your curiosity and learn something new about the ancient world of the Romans. By clicking on the link below, you will be redirected to a random entry.

Random curiosity

Random curiosity

Discover secrets of ancient Rome!

If you want to be up to date with newest articles on website and discoveries from the world of ancient Rome, subscribe to the newsletter, which is sent each Saturday.

Subscribe to newsletter!

Subscribe to newsletter

Spelling error report

The following text will be sent to our editors: