How Men Were Actually Selected To Become Roman Gladiators

2. Slaves Sold into the Arena

Roman citizens and foreigners could become gladiators after being purchased by lanistae (gladiator trainers). These men, often bought at auctions, were the property of the schools and trained for combat. Some of them could eventually achieve freedom, but often they enjoyed a better standard of life as gladiators than as regular slaves (smithsonianmag.com).