From the BBC: Gladiators’ graveyard discovered.
Scientists believe they have for the first time identified an ancient graveyard for gladiators.
Analysis of their bones and injuries has given new insight into how they lived, fought and died.
The remains were found at Ephesus in Turkey, a major city of the Roman world, BBC Timewatch reports.
Gladiators were the sporting heroes of the ancient world. Archaeological records show them celebrated in everything from mosaics to graffiti. [continue]
I have read that gladiators (the successful ones) were not only given the best medical treatment of the day, but that they received good quality food, regular training sessions and often were the chosen dalliance partner for ladies about town, looking for a thrill.
Of course, most of them were treated like animals and died slaughtered like them.