In ancient times, the two were connected through a secret, underground tunnel. It is called Ludus Magnus, and it is a short five-minute walk from the Colosseum. In fact, one famous ludus remains standing in Rome today. Like modern sports heroes, the most skilled gladiators were hired and traded at a great price, and some became rich and famous. Gladiators (a word derived from the Latin gladius, meaning sword) were trained in dedicated schools called ludi.
A massive business arose around the gladiatorial games.
