gladiator

Everyday

1. A gladiator was a man in ancient Rome who fought other men or wild animals in an arena to entertain crowds, often with swords, nets or tridents. tree →
2. A gladiator can mean someone who fights hard in a contest or argument (figurative). tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons on the Romans, gladiators fought in amphitheatres such as the Colosseum; many were slaves, prisoners or criminals, though some became famous. Pupils discuss why crowds enjoyed such cruel games and how attitudes have changed. Phrases: «gladiator fight», «gladiator school», «in the arena».

Examples

• The gladiator fought a lion in the Colosseum. tree →
• Many gladiators were slaves. tree →
• Gladiators trained at special schools. tree →
• Some gladiators used a net and a trident. tree →
• The crowd cheered as the gladiators entered the arena. tree →
• We made gladiator helmets out of card. tree →

Note

Countable. Pronounced GLAD-ee-ay-tur. Myth trap: the thumbs-up or thumbs-down signal for life or death is not certain; historians are not sure which gesture meant what.