> If we had never invented a way to record images, would we have gladiator games like the ancient Romans did?

Sorry, but I don't see what recording images has to do with Roman or other games. Do you mean that modern sports (football, American football, cricket, baseball, whatever) only work because they are televised, or that if we had no film and tv we would go to gladiator games for entertainment instead?

Either way, the answer is no. Sports like football and cricket existed long before still photography was invented, let alone television. As far as I know, gladiatorial contests died out with the Romans. In the 1500-odd years between then and the arrival of motion pictures people found other forms of entertainment (admittedly including things like cock fighting and badger baiting, as well as jousting, boxing and the aforementioned team sports, and of course plays and music hall/vaudeville).

Sally