Who was the head of a gladiatorial school?

The head of a gladiatorial school was known as a lanista. This term refers specifically to the individual responsible for training, managing, and overseeing gladiators. The lanista would often be involved in the financial aspects as well, investing in the gladiators and arranging their participation in games where they would battle for spectators. This role was crucial in the Roman entertainment culture, particularly in ensuring that the gladiators were properly trained and that the events were profitable.

In contrast, the other terms are roles or concepts that relate to the context of gladiatorial games and Roman society but do not specifically denote the head of a gladiatorial school. An aedile, for example, was an elected official responsible for the maintenance of public buildings and facilities, among other duties. An editor was responsible for organizing the games themselves and could oversee the combat but would not manage a gladiatorial school. The cavea refers to the seating area in an amphitheater where spectators watched the games, which is distinct from those who managed or trained the gladiators. Therefore, the lanista is clearly associated with the specific role of overseeing gladiatorial training, making this the correct answer.