Did gladiators live long

Answer 1

The lifespan of gladiators is not known. One estimate based on inscriptions on headstones at gladiator cemeteries gives an average age of death of 27. Another estimate gives an average of 18-25 for unsuccessful gladiators who did not receive a headstone. Not many lived beyond 30. However, there were successful gladiators who retired following reward of manumission (emancipation form slavery).

Originally gladiatorial combats were fights to the death in funeral rites. When they became public games this stopped. The practice of sparing the life of the looser became common. Skills and the quality of the fight were more important that bloodshed. Some gladiators were praised for winning without shedding blood. Nevertheless, the fights were dangerous and death was frequent. Gladiators fought two or three times a year. Some gladiators died at the first combat. An inscription mentions a gladiator who fought 34 times. There was a gladiator who won 51 combats.