Description
The gladiatorial games of the Roman world comprised battle for entertainment and slaughter for profit. Although notorious for the use of prisoners of war, conquered slaves and condemned criminals as dispensable 'extras', some did volunteer for the gladiatorial profession. Spectacle was everything: combatants were encouraged to draw their opponents' blood and prolong death. For citizen and caesar, the gladiators created drama through their violence - and the public loved them for it. This title relates how men, and women too, came to find themselves in the arena. As well as detailing the various types of gladiator, their weaponry and equipment, it reveals what training and daily life was like for each - and how this culminated in their stepping into the arena.
Table of Contents
Chronology
Historical background
Recruitment
The Revolt of Spartacus, 73-71 BC
We who are about to die - the condemned criminals
Acquisition of fighters
Danaos - a new recruit
Daily life
Accommodation
Social life and daily routine
Organisation of the schools throughout the empire
Training
Appearance and dress
Undergarments
Fabric body protection
Metal leg and arm defence
Parade armour
Helmets and headgeat
The Thracian
The myrmillo
The retiarius
The secutor
Other types of gladiator
Stage hands and arena equipment
Weapons and shields
Gladiator psychology
The rudius
The gladiator in combat
The build-up
The parade in the arena: early morning
The venation: beast hunting
The afternoon show: the noxii
The familia gladiatoria
Retirement
Chances of survival
Colour plate commentary
Re-enactment
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Product details
| Published | Oct 25 2001 |
|---|---|
| Format | Paperback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Extent | 64 |
| ISBN | 9781841762999 |
| Imprint | Osprey Publishing |
| Illustrations | 50 b/w; 8 col |
| Dimensions | 248 x 184 mm |
| Series | Warrior |
| Short code | WAR 39 |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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