The history and concept of the Colosseum grew from the custom of funeral games. The funeral games were organised as public events by wealthy Roman aristocrats and Patricians. The Gladiator games were popular with the 'mob'. At first gladiator games, or combats, were held in small wooden arenas. The word “arena” means sand, a reference to the thick layer of sand on the floor for the purpose of soaking up the blood. But as the popularity of the games grew large amphitheatres were built to house the games. The amphitheatres were round or oval in shape. Their design was taken from joining two half circle wooden theatres together (the word "amphi" means 'both sides').