There are many different types of Gladiator in Ancient Rome, and below is listed most of them, their traits, and what they had to do.
Andabata - These gladiators fought blind, as he wore a helmet which did not allow vision through.
Arbelus - The name of this type of gladiator, Arbelus, comes from the Arbelai, A cresent shaped knife that shoemakers use to cut leather. This is the weapon they were armed with.
Bestiarius - These Gladiators, were normal, but fought wild animals instead of other Gladiators.
Bustuarious - These were Gladiators forced to fight inside or outside of a tomb.
Cestus - These were a type of Gladiator who boxed or fist-punched, normally based in the Colosseum.
Crupellarii - This type of Gladiator was forced to wear full iron armour, which weighed them down, so they could not run away from the enemy, and their fighting was affected as they could barely lift their own arms. In the Roman times, they found this fun, and very entertaining, like many people of todays decade might.
Dimachaerus - These Gladiators had no armour, and were equiped with two short swords, one in either hand.
Equites - comes from the Latin name, "Eques", which means horseman or cavalryman. They fought on horseback, until they threw their lance. They were protected by simple plain leather tunic, with no greaves or leggings, and a helmet with two decorative feathers.
Hoplomachus - Wore trouser-resembling leg wrapping, loincloth, skin-guards of greaves, an arm guard for the sword's arm, and a helmet brimmed with a plume of feathers on top, and a single feather either side of the head. Equiped with a Gladius (Roman sword) and a small shield. He carried a spear, for beginning the game.
Gladiatrix - A female Gladiator.
Laquearius - Armed with a lasso and a spear, and no protection, the games were over quickly.
Lorarius - These were the people 'back-stage' that whipped the Gladiators or wild animals into fighting.
Murmillo - They wore a helmet with an engraved fish and an arm-guard, a loincloth or belt, a gaiter (specifically on their right leg) and a short greave. They were armed with a oblong shield.
Paegniarius - These types weren't serious about hurting; they were merely entertainers during the intervals of each show.
Provocator - Wearing a loincloth, belt, long greave (specifically on the left leg), a manica (arm protector) on the right arm, and a visored helmet with no brim.
Retiarius - They were armed with a trident, a dagger and a net. They wore a loincloth, held on by a large belt and a big arm-guard. They fought without head-protection, so no helmet for them. They also occasionally wore a metal shoulder shield.
Rudiarius - It is a gladiator that has earned freedom. He would be given and wooden sword (a Rudis) or a wooden rod. If he accepted the wooden sword or rod, it meant he wanted to keep the job of a Gladiator and maybe become rich and famous. If they turned down the piece of wood, they no longer wanted to work as a Gladiator. A Rudiarius is one of these gladiators, but has kept the job of a Gladiator.
Rudis - A Rudis is a Arena Referee, named after the wooden sword or rod.
Sagittarius - A mounted archer.
Samnite - These Gladiators were early in the Roman Empire, he was heavily-armed with a long rectangular shield, a short sword, a plumed helmet, and a greave (usually on his left leg).
Gladiatorial Contests
A gladiatorial contest is where two gladiators fight to the death. This is normally for the amusement of the local public, but also as the gladiators were classed as slaves. They normally fought in somewhere called an Amphitheater, the Colosseum being the largest one in Ancient Rome.