These combats were of various kinds.

They were fought sometimes between ferocious beasts of the same or of different species, as dogs against each other, or against bulls, lions, or tigers.

Any animals, in fact, were employed for this purpose, that could be teased or goaded into anger and ferocity in a fight.

Sometimes men were employed in these combats,--captive soldiers, that had been taken in war, and brought to Rome to fight in the amphitheaters there as gladiators.

These men were compelled to contend sometimes with wild beasts, and sometimes with one another.