Condemned and yet feared by emperors, almost certain to be slaughtered and yet adored by the masses, the gladiator was the superstar of his day. His existence was invariably short and violent, improved only faintly by the prospect of honor, wealth, and public attention. Yet men gave up their freedom to become gladiators, noblewomen gave up their positions to elope with them, and Emperors risked death to fight them. This thrilling popular history of ancient Rome's gladiators charts the evolution of the games; introduces us to the legendary fighters, trainers, and emperors who participated in...
Condemned and yet feared by emperors, almost certain to be slaughtered and yet adored by the masses, the gladiator was the superstar of his day. His e...
As he stepped into the massive, roaring space of the Coliseum, he would have been aware of two things: first the bodies of those who had fought and fallen, their blood mingling with the hot dust of the arena floor; second, a sound as ominous as the scenes before him - that of swords being sharpened.
As he stepped into the massive, roaring space of the Coliseum, he would have been aware of two things: first the bodies of those who had fought and fa...
