Even though gladiatorial combat had become a means of keeping crowds of Roman citizens occupied in their leisure hours, some people still produced these games in honor of their deceased releatives. Pliny the Younger writes to his friend Valerius Maximus about the games that Valerius gave in Verona, in honor of his deceased wife. These games not only honored her, but also repaid the people of Verona for their support of Valerius and the honors they had bestowed upon him.

You did well to put on a show of gladiators for our people of Verona, who have long shown their affection and admiration for you, and have voted you many honors. Verona was also the home-town of the excellent wife you loved so dearly, whose memory you owe some public building or show, and this kind of spectacle is...