From Private Funerals To Public Entertainment Activities: Religious Factors In Roman Gladiatorial Games

As one of the most popular public entertainment activities in ancient Rome, gladiatorial games were well received by people from all classes since 264 B. C. when it was held for the first time, and there was no exception among emperors, slaves and even women until the end of the 5th century A. D.. Religious factors run through the whole course of the origin, development and decline of this universal entertainment. This paper will start from the ancient Roman people's religion, and try to discuss the influence of religious factors on gladiatorial games and their change accompanying with the development of gladiatorial games'own, which specifically includes the religious origin of gladiatorial games, the symbolic influence and the change of gods'functions after its secularization begins, and the relationship between gladiatorial games and Christianity.