Susanna Shadrake, Tempus,
2005, £17.99, pb, 256pp, 0-7524-3443-X
From the origins of
gladiatorial games in Rome’s early history, to its gruesome flowering , the
author meticulously details the progress of the deadly sport. With chapters on
Caesar’s games, the making of a gladiator, organising the spectacle, pleasing
the crowd, gladiatorial categories, attitudes to gladiators and the games, and
reconstructing the spectacle, this book comprehensively covers all the crucial
aspects.
The book is well illustrated,
and thoroughly researched. Very up-to-date information is included, although
the recent work of Karl Grossschmidt on the gladiator graveyard in Ephesus is
quoted but not properly referenced. The index proved a little limited when
trying to find information for pugio (dagger), where the reader was
referred onward to other keywords, but not to specific mentions of the weapon.
However, this does not overly detract from the book.
The book’s particular
strength comes with the author’s involvement in gladiatorial re-enactment, so
that she can draw on well-founded insights.
This work ably seeks to put gladiators into context, whether in Roman
times or more recently. A very useful research tool.