The gladiator is one of the most enduring figures of Ancient Rome.
Heroic, though of lowly status, they fought vicious duels in large
arenas filled with baying crowds. The survivor could be either executed
(the famous 'thumbs down' signal) or spared at the whim of the crowd or
the Emperor. Few lasted more than a dozen fights, yet they were a
valuable asset to their owners.
But how did they fight and how did their weapons and techniques develop?
Who were they? This book gives an entertaining overview of the history
of the gladiator, debunking some myths along the way. We learn about the
different forms of combat, and the pairings which were designed to
carefully balance the strengths and weaknesses of one against the other.
The retiarii (with nets) were lightly armed but mobile, the secutores
and murmillones were protected but weighed down by their armor.
Gladiators also participated in simulated naval battles on large
artificial lakes or even in the arena of the Colosseum.
Although their lives were brutal and short, gladiators often were
admired for their bravery, endurance, and willingness to die. They were
the celebrities of their day. This book reveals what we know and how we
know it: ancient remains, contemporary literature, graffiti, modern
attempts to reconstruct ancient fighting techniques and the astonishing
discovery at Pompeii where a complete gladiator barracks was found
alongside multiple skeletons, telling their story.
