First you have to buy the proper historically accurate gear depending on your chosen gladiator type, replica gear of course. If you were to purchase real antique roman gladiator armor and/or...
Captured Prisoners of War (or rebels against Rome) were often used, "to put their fighting abilities to use" (in the Arenas), by entertaining the Romans.
The gladiators were definitely looked upon as great people, despite their humble beginnings, with some being prisoners of war, condemned criminals, slaves or volunteers seeking fame and wealth. Their...