Editing Gladiator (section)

===The ''ludi'' and ''munus''===
Official ''munera'' of the early Imperial era seem to have followed a standard form (''munus legitimum'').<ref>{{harvnb|Welch|2007|p=23}}; {{harvnb|Futrell|2006|p=84}}.</ref> A procession (''pompa'') entered the arena, led by [[lictors]] who bore the [[fasces]] that signified the magistrate-''editor'''s power over life and death. They were followed by a small band of trumpeters (''tubicines'') playing a fanfare. Images of the gods were carried in to "witness" the proceedings, followed by a scribe to record the outcome, and a man carrying the palm branch used to honour victors. The magistrate ''editor'' entered among a retinue who carried the arms and armour to be used; the gladiators presumably came in last.<ref>{{harvnb|Futrell|2006|p=85}}. See ''[[pompa circensis]]'' for the similar procession before games were held in the circus.</ref>
[[File:Mosaique Zliten.jpg|thumb|left|upright|250px|Musicians with trumpet (''tuba''), [[water organ]] (hydraulis), and horns [[Cornu (horn)|(''cornua'')]], from the [[Zliten mosaic]]]]
The entertainments often began with ''venationes'' (beast hunts) and ''bestiarii'' (beast fighters).<ref>Sometimes beasts were simply exhibited, and left unharmed; see {{harvnb|Futrell|2006|p=88}}.</ref> Next came the ''ludi meridiani'', which were of variable content but usually involved executions of ''noxii'', some of whom were condemned to be subjects of fatal re-enactments, based on Greek or Roman myths.<ref>{{harvnb|Futrell|2006|p=91}}.</ref> Gladiators may have been involved in these as executioners, though most of the crowd, and the gladiators themselves, preferred the "dignity" of an even contest.<ref>{{harvnb|Futrell|2006|pp=94–95}}. Futrell is citing Seneca's ''On Providence'', 3.4.</ref> There were also comedy fights; some may have been lethal. A crude Pompeian graffito suggests a burlesque of musicians, dressed as animals named ''Ursus tibicen'' (flute-playing bear) and ''Pullus cornicen'' (horn-blowing chicken), perhaps as accompaniment to clowning by ''[[List of Roman gladiator types|paegniarii]]'' during a "mock" contest of the ''ludi meridiani''.<ref>{{harvnb|Wisdom|McBride|2001|p=18}}. Author's drawing.</ref>