Gladiator
/GLAD-ee-ay-ter/
Summary
Combatants in Roman arenas who fought to the death for public entertainment, a practice opposed and eventually suppressed by Christians.
☩Christian Opposition
While some pagan moralists expressed disapproval of gladiatorial shows as inhumane, nothing effectual was done to stop them until opposed by Christian principles. The Church expressed abhorrence of these barbarous games by discouraging attendance and refusing to admit gladiators to baptism. Christian heroism eventually led to their suppression.
Key verses:1 Corinthians 4:9
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Gladiators, Christian Views Concerning," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).