* Entertainment. The main reason why gladiators fought with animals was to entertain the crowds. Roman audiences loved watching the bloody and brutal fights between humans and animals, and they would often cheer on their favorites.
* Spectacle. The fights between gladiators and animals were also a way to show off the power and wealth of Rome. The Roman emperors would often host these fights as a way to impress their subjects and visitors from other countries.
* Training. Gladiators who fought with animals were often trained to do so from a young age. This training helped them to develop the skills and strength they needed to survive in the arena.
* Status. Gladiators who were successful in fighting animals were often given higher status and more pay than those who only fought other gladiators. This made it a desirable goal for many gladiators to be able to fight animals.
The practice of gladiatorial combat with animals was eventually banned in the Roman Empire in the 6th century AD, but it had a long and bloody history.