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