Sold into the sport, many had no choice
They fought each other with deft precision
Crowds screamed until they had no voice
Armed or unarmed, armored or without
Battle exchanged for the emperor's pleasure
Cults following gladiators were devout
Should the warriors be victorious they live
Should the warriors lose they would die
Without death, both would see the other as kin
For the war was unnecessary, battle is sport
Violence beckoned shouts and the crowd's joy
Whoever won, all gladiator lives were short
They were human beings with beliefs and spirits
Being fed into a grinder for a crowd's enjoyment
Some were cowards, the survivors were fearless
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