num_pages: 128
description: The brutal, thrilling world of gladiators was a popular motif in the art of Pompeii, as this informative book demonstrates. Gladiators at Pompeii , illustrated with striking Pompeiian depictions of these ancient combatants, presents a complete picture of the gladiators of the Roman Empire andthe highly organized and regulated tournaments in which they competed. Luciana Jacobelli reveals the latest evidence on the best-documented categories of gladiators, their origins, social status, equipment, and training. Originally staged for the funeral rights of prominent Roman citizens,gladiatorial games eventually became a tool for career politicians to both gain popularity and appease the often turbulent masses. While most gladiators were slaves or prisoners of war forced into a career of battle, others were criminals or free men from prominent families who aspired to fame andfortune. Surprisingly, there are even records of women gladiators.Gladiators at Pompeii offers a riveting account of the lives and exploits of these Roman warriors, who continue to capture and enthrall the popular imagination today.
language: English
title: Gladiators at Pompeii
titlecomplete: Gladiators at Pompeii
genres: History
ratings_count: 7
publisher: Oxford University Press