The Gladiators were a group of slaves and non-citizens who were forced to fight in the arena to please the crowds in bloodthirsty spectacles known as "The Games". Each Gladiator represented something from the Roman past, or from Roman mythology. The Smanite represents the fierce warriors fron Samnium, in Northern Italy, where the Romans had to put down many insurrections. The Samnite was armed with a sword and shield, and like evey other gladiator in the arena, put their life in the possesion of the favour of the crowds.