Gladiators

"Roger Dunkles book is singular in its mix of clear, lucid and approachable writing with a meticulous presentation of classical sources and scholarship. This is a thorough and well-organized study of the history of the gladiatorial games from early Republic to Empire; and of the popular role of these games, including their advertisement and how the life or death of combatants was decided. Fascinating and engrossing!"

Patrice D. Rankine, Associate Professor of Classics, Purdue University

Roger Dunkle here shows us the games through Roman eyes both those who watched and those who fought.  He gives a fascinating insight into the lives of the gladiators and the spectators, while also discussing their wider political significance and their changing role as the Roman Republic became the Roman Empire. Anyone who is interested in the Roman psyche will find this book essential and gripping reading.