combatants who fought at the public games in Rome for the entertainment of the spectators. The first instance known of gladiators being exhibited was in 264 B. C., by Marcus and Decimus Brutus at the funeral of their father. Gladiators were at first prisoners, slaves or condemned criminals; but afterward freemen fought in the arena, either for hire or from choice; and still later, men of senatorial rank, and even women, fought. The regular gladiators were instructed in schools, and the overseer purchased the gladiators and maintained them. Men of position sometimes kept gladiatorial schools of their own. The gladiators fought in the schools with wooden swords. In the public exhibitions, if a vanquished gladiator was not killed in the combat, his fate was decided by the people. If they wished his death, perhaps because he had not shown sufficient skill or bravery, they held up their thumbs; the opposite motion was the signal to save him. The victor received a branch of palm or a garland and sometimes his freedom. The emperors eclipsed every one else in the size and character of the gladiatorial shows they gave. It is said that Trajan gave one show that lasted for more than a hundred days, during which 2000 men fought to the death. See COLOSSEUM.