Who were the gladiators in ancient Greece?

Answer 1

Gladiatorial combat was a uniquely Roman activity (despite SamanthaJ's mewling, the Greek's had athletic games that included only unarmed combat - wrestling and boxing).
The Gladiators were initially condemned criminals, war prisoners, and slaves. Their lives were dangerous, but luxurious compared to those of others in their social class, so many volunteered to join. The Gladiators only rarely fought to the death. Even a champion could have an off day and these were highly trained, very skillful performers. It would be like executing your favorite actor/director because of one stinker movie.
Eventually, the Gladiators became tremendous celebrities, such that wealthy women (and men) would pay for samples of their urine, sweat, hair and other excretions, and to have private "sessions" with them. At around this time, disgraced freemen and even the occasional citizen would sometimes enlist as Gladiators.
The games lasted until well after Rome was Christianized, but were eventually outlawed by the emperor Honorious in the late 4th or early 5th century C.E.
Cheers.

Answer 2

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RE:
Who were the gladiators in ancient Greece?

Answer 3

In general, gladiators were condemned criminals, prisoners of war, or slaves bought for the purpose of gladiatorial combat by a lanista, or owner of gladiators. Professional gladiators were free men who volunteered to participate in the games. In The Satyricon, Petronius suggested that Roman crowds preferred combat by free men over that of slaves. For example, the character of Echion is excited about games in which free men, "not a slave in the batch," will fight. Though low on the social scale, free men often found popularity and patronage of wealthy Roman citizens by becoming gladiators. The emperor Augustus sought to preserve the pietas and virtus of the knight class and Roman senate by forbidding them to participate in gladiatorial combat. Later, Caligula and Nero would order both groups to participate in the games.

Answer 4

Don't be put off by a lot of wrong answers. There certainly were a type of Gladiator in Ancient Greece.

The Greeks, in Homer's Iliad, held funeral games in honor of the fallen Patroklos. The games ended not in the literal death of the participants, but in their symbolic death as defeated athletes, unlike succeeding Roman gladiatorial combat.

Answer 5

Galdiators were in ancient Rome and not in ancient Greece.

Answer 6

Ancient Rome maybe..?