THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT TO DIE

Bestselling author Harry Sidebottom takes readers on a thrilling journey through a day in the life of the most iconic figure of the ancient world the Roman gladiator Wonderfully panoramic endlessly informative rich with unexpected detail but never heavy to read Literary Review Blends extensive research with a talent for vivid storytelling to distil 700 years of gladiator history into the 24 hours around match day from eve of fight rituals to stripping the corpses The Times Grippingly original Tom Holland Sunday Times bestselling author of Dominion Thrilling every page sizzles Alice Loxton Sunday Times bestselling author of Eighteen Fascinating Matthew Kneale Sunday Times bestselling author of RomeDressed in armour and clutching a bloody sword the Roman gladiator is the most iconic figure of the ancient world Both fascinating and repulsive to us now he was in his own time a deeply controversial character by turns hated and idealized and always at the heart of Roman culture But what did he really mean to the Romans What did they see in the gladiator and the spectacle of the games And what does he reveal to us today about the Roman way of life Brilliantly written and meticulously researched this book tells the stories of the gladiators and those w