Customer Reviews

Gladiators and Caesars: The Power of Spectacle in Ancient Rome

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The authors of _Gladiators and Caesars: The Power of Spectacle in Ancient Rome_ (University of California Press; edited by Eckart Köhne and Cornelia Ewigleben) can't help drawing parallels to our own games, or our modern depictions of them. You won't find remarks on the authenticity of the recent movie _Gladiator_, but you can learn plenty about _Ben Hur_. The book shows in profuse illustrations the different categories of gladiator, the weapons each was assigned, and the role they played in the games. It goes into the fates of those who were sentenced to the amphitheater; those sentenced to be torn by wild beasts had no chance, but there were others who were sentenced to gladiatorial school and could possibly gain freedom, money, and celebrity. Of course, they had to survive plenty of mortal combat to do so. The book tells repeatedly about how different Caesars used the games to defuse public anger about governmental conditions. The scholars are complimentary about _Ben Hur_: "Although there are a number of inaccuracies, the film as a whole thrillingly conveys the character and atmosphere, one might even say the quintessence, of such a sporting event, in a way that scholarly attention to detail could never have done on its own."

A handsome, profusely illustrated, big (though paperbound) book, _Gladiators and Caesars_ has thorough detail about a facet of sports history which we can be glad is now past, but which was important in consolidating power in an empire whose history still affects us. Those who enjoy sports will especially find the analogies to modern competition, hero-worship, and media superstardom amusing and enlightening. Those who have no interest in sports will perhaps remember the brutality of gladiatorial combat, and confronted with endless bowl games or professional wrestling while scanning for something good on TV, will be thankful things aren't worse.

I originally purchased this book under the presumption that it would some nice lite reading to add to my knowledge about Roman society only to be delightfully surprised that this was an indepth, accurate and insightful look into not only the world of the gladiator, but of all public preformers of Rome

The Romans provided spectacular entertainment in their arenas. Yes, the noxii--the condemned--were brutally attacked and killed by wild animals. But it was the gladiators that really drew the crowds.

Gladiatorial combat was not invented by the Romans. They only perfected it. They fought on a sandy surface--sand to absorb the blood, and the public "gave loyal support not only to individual heroes of the arena but to certain categories of gladiators. The first and second centuries AD saw passionate altercations between the supporters of gladiators fighting with the large shield and gladiators who fought with the small shield" (p 35).

Gladiators were despised as a social class. After all, many of the gladiators were slaves or from the condemned. Nevertheless, athletes who won fight after fight became stars, and even the wives of Roman senators were whispered to have crushes on them.

I had just got back from Rome and visiting the Coliseum for the first time when I ordered this book among many other books about the Gladiators. I recommend this book. It will teach you alot about that time period and the politics of it all. Very interesting.

Although much of our knowledge of classic Roman culture comes from artifacts, statues, friezes, mosaics and sculpture, even these provide us with a tantalizing view of this great age of civilization. In Gladiators and Caesars, the authors first lay the groundwork for the adventure, surrounding the reader in the Caesarian succession, the rise of Roman aristocracy and public games, leading to the first gladiatorial games.

The authors also go into exquisite detail of each type of gladiator, his or her weapons and manner of fighting, as well as the use of beasts in the arena, naval contests and other variations designed to pique the crowd's interest. Although becoming a gladiator was frequently a death sentence, some succeeded in winning their freedom, continuing on in a life filled with honor.

These well trained men and women were some of the first extreme athletes. The gladiatorial games were the foundations for our modern marathons, Olympic Games and wrestling matches. This book, with its incredible photographs, provides brief glimpses into this beautiful and brutal time in human history.

For me, coming from re-enacting Roman gladiators, I did not find this very informative. I guess I was expecting more out of the book but not really sure what to expect. It came very highly recommanded.

I didn't find it very helpful because I knew the classes of gladiators, what type of armor they wore, who they paired against, the lifestyle they lead, etc....

The only thing that really impressed me were the pictures of gladiator artifacts, and modern Roman gladiators in there gear!

For someone that doesn't know anything or only a little I would recommend this book.