What or who died in the coliseum?

Answer 1

Gladiators, often prisoners or slaves, fought with each other in the coliseum. During hand to hand combat, they used a net, for snaring the opponent, a dagger for cutting their way out if snared or close up battle, and a short spear for distance attacks.

When one soldier was disabled, the victor would turn to a panel of priestesses, and they would indicate whether or not they thought the loser should be killed by showing a 'thumbs up' for life, and a 'thumbs down' for death.