What did the ancient romans find interesting and exciting about the gladiatorial games?
Because it represented what Romans thought was best about Rome — bravery, courage, discipline and individual honor and accomplishment. The Roman world was harsh. Even in the most advanced city of the most advanced civilization of their time, regular Romans had an average lifespan of about 30/40 years. In response to that harsh lifestyle, Romans developed an ethos of personal bravery and courage. To fight well, to fight bravely, to fight with discipline, these were traits of the best gladiators. Individual combat in the arena was rarely to the death. It was to the point where one gladiator gained a decided advantage over his opponent. Should the opponent still be alive, and in most cases, the opponent would still be living, his fate fell to the crowd. If he had fought bravely and well, his life would be spared. And, after five years as a gladiator, the gladiator would retire. Further, because of the harshness of Roman life, there are reports that some Romans sold themselves to gladitor
