Games proved to be popular with the people and emperors gained prestige from hosting successful shows. Gladiatorial games became part of a policy of panem et circenses (bread and circuses) whereby leaders sought to distract the public from serious matters by satisfying the basest appetites. Gladiators fought in amphitheatres throughout the Roman Empire in games that lasted for days. Usually, gladiatorial shows opened with wild animal hunts and fights. Sometimes, gladiators fought duels and sometimes hundreds of pairs of gladiators fought each other en masse. Emperor Trajan mounted a show with nearly 5,000 pairs of gladiators that lasted for 117 days. The carnage of the games and the gladiators’ valour were regarded as part of a magnificent spectacle. Games were advertised on billboards and top gladiators attracted a fan following because of their courage, skill and, in some cases, even their good looks. Gladiators frequently died in mortal combat in the arena but some survived to reach retirement. After Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, the Church raised objections regarding cost in human life of the gladiatorial games. The games were banned c. 400 AD, partly because of moral objections and partly because of the hefty price of staging contests.