The term gladiator derives from the Latin gladiatores in reference to their principal weapon the gladius or short sword.However, there were a wide range of other weapons employed in gladiator contests.amous Gladiators. Perhaps the most famous gladiator of all was Spartacus, who led an uprising of gladiators and slaves from Capua, the leading producer of gladiators, in 73 BCE. From Thrace, the former Roman soldier had become a bandit until his capture and forced training as a gladiator.