LUDI FUNEBRES were games celebrated at the funeral pyre of
illustrious persons. Such games are mentioned in the very early
legends of the history of Greece and Rome, and they continued with
various modifications until the introduction of Christianity. It was
at such a ludus funebris, in B.C. 264, that gladiatorial fights were
exhibited at Rome for the first time, which henceforwards were the
most essential part in all funeral games. [GLADIATORES.]