Gladiators were the rock stars of ancient Rome, embodying the virtues of the society but also viewed as social outcasts. Despite their low status, they were lusted after by women who desired their sweaty bodies and even used their blood as an aphrodisiac.

However, gladiators were also akin to sex workers in Roman society, with little standing and often compared to actors and those in the sex industry.

This unique position allowed for sexual encounters, with some women hiring gladiators as bodyguards or engaging in sexual relations with them. The erotic fascination with gladiators was evident in Roman graffiti and even in the beauty of the gladiators themselves, who were chosen based on their attractiveness.