Who would have trained gladiators in the ancient Roman arena?

The individual responsible for training gladiators in ancient Rome was known as a lanista. This person was typically a trainer and manager of gladiators, often owning the gladiatorial school (ludus) where the fighters were trained. The lanista played a crucial role in preparing the gladiators for combat, teaching them fighting techniques and strategies, as well as ensuring they were in peak physical condition for their battles in the arena.

The term "doctores" refers to the trainers in a more technical sense, but primarily, it is the lanista who holds the overarching role as both trainer and manager within the context of gladiatorial schools. As for the gladiators themselves, they were the ones undergoing training rather than conducting it, while the imperator refers to the commanding officer or leader, often one who presided over games or battles rather than trained gladiators. Thus, the position of lanista is the most accurate answer to who would have trained gladiators.