A book that is filled with history, first about the Roman empire and then men who were its leaders and the rise and then the fall of Rome. He leads you through the take over from Cesar and all of the Emperors to the end of Rome.
Between all of that you get a look at all of the different gladiators, when it was just slaves, then when they added animals and then when it became like what we now have in boxing matches. That after let say 20 matches, he was able to retire. He will also show you through archeology finds the different types of gladiators which were seven.
The author takes you the different time periods of Rome the good and the bad, through this book you get to see actual artifacts that were found decades ago. You also see the building of a new coliseum after the original one burned down. He also shows you that the only true record of a gladiator was one by the name of Spartacus, who was a Legionnaire and then became a slave who would fight for his freedom.
I found this book to be full of Roman history but also the life of its citizens, the collapse of the empire and of course the life of the Gladiators. Truly a very good book, if you are into history if not this could be a dry read for you.

I have a huge interest in ancient Rome, but I dont normally read non-fiction. I did take a chance with this but I enjoyed it so I'm glad I did. I now feel alot more respect for gladiators, and what theywent through, and how they lived there daily lives. Brilliant read and I would recommend!

It is an interesting and informative book. I liked how it's organised, the great illustrations and the well researched text.
A good and informative read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.