cultural custom typical of ancient Rome, the first fight between gladiators occurred, as far as we know, in Rome in 264 BC. at a funeral
The deceased was a Roman nobleman, Giunio Bruto Pera and the meeting was organized by the children. The clash was called Munus, a Latin term which means duty or gift. Organizing a gladiator show was felt:
- as a duty to pay just honors to the dead
- as a gift, convinced that the blood shed in the fight served to appease the soul of the deceased on the journey to the afterlife
The clash acquired great popularity and freed itself from the occasion of the funeral by assuming the most well-known form arrived, shows intended to entertain the public. Offering this type of spectacle was also a way to win people's sympathy and votes during electoral periods