Based on preserved ancient historical sources, archaeological remains, works of art and displays, sometimes architecture and relevant scientific literature, the author tries to reconstruct gladiator games from their very beginning in the 3rd century BC, when they were part of funeral rituals – munera, over the period when they became public games – ludi, until their disappearance in the 5th century. Going to the gladiator games was representing fun, but also the continuity of customs in the Roman's life. With expansion of the Roman Empire and romanization of the conquered space, new territories of maintenance have emerged, including a huge number of amphitheatres all over the empire. The amphitheatres were reflection of the Roman society through the seating arrangement, as well as the hierarchical relationship in the arena itself. The gladiatorial service was absurd – on the one hand, the gladiators were slaves, war prisoners, while on the other hand, there were many courageous volunteers, who would get the glory through that service. Over the centuries, new types of gladiators overshadowed the first ones that were known for their ethnicity. Every new information about this spectacle, even if it's just a drop in an sea, is of great value not only for the local historiography, but also for tourism. For the first time ever, in the Croatian language, it will be written about the phenomen of female gladiators, a topic that is greatly problematic due to low number of sources, but is becoming a research subject more frequently in the recent years. To cognize the image of the Roman society in the amphitheatre is not a small achievement.