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The Romans had mix attitudes towards gladiators. Because of what happen during the great rebellion involving Spartacus, many Romans feared them. If a Gladiater ever attacked and killed their masters, there be great punishment not just for him but for others in his house hold. Most of Roman citizens disrespected gladiators because they were considered lowest of the low class people in Roman society. But they were no lower then female prostitutes. At a time in Augustus reign, there were food shortages. To save food, Augustus had to eliminate all the undesirables which meant the slave gladiators. In one inscription, it tells that three types of peoples were excluded from a decent burial: the ones who hang themselves, the ones who engage in illegal activities and those who are gladiators. But if they were claimed by his friend, family or owner, they were allowed a decent burial. Dispite the disrespect, their actions and deeds during combat would aroused great interest and excitement among spectators of the sport and become the main topic of conversations in most circles.
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