the Greeks did not just have human sacrifices at funerals they had funeral contests, chariot races, fist fights and fighting warriors. The first recorded gladiator fight in Rome took place in 264 BC. A man named Decimus Junius Brutus arranged for three pairs of slaves to fight to the death at his father 's funeral. "We'll have it in the main cattle market decide Decimus decided, "So everyone can watch." watch.''