The Real Life of a Roman Gladiator

De: Alexander Mariotti, The Great Courses

Narrado por: Alexander Mariotti

The Roman gladiator has long been a figure of fascination. Portrayed frequently in fine art and popular culture alike, the gladiator is both a real part of history and a legend of a romanticized past. We know that these men entertained Roman audiences by fighting in dangerous and often deadly games. But who were the gladiators? What were their lives like? And why do they continue to have such a strong hold on our imagination, centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire?

Join historian and consultant Alexander Marriotti to explore these and other questions in The Real Life of a Roman Gladiator. Across six lectures, Alexander will trace the history of gladiators, from their earliest origins in Greek and Etruscan culture to their rise as celebrity athletes to their eventual decline as Rome’s imperial power faded. You’ll uncover where gladiators were born and trained, how they lived, and why they have become such lasting symbols of power and resilience.

While the Roman gladiator may have occupied a world and a historical moment very different from our own, you may find that we share more in common than you would expect. After all, the gladiator was an underdog—a fighter of low social standing who could, through skill and luck, achieve a level of renown on par with some of today’s most successful athletes. Ultimately, you’ll discover why the gladiator is one of our most enduring archetypes, one who serves to remind us that we, too, can overcome the odds and achieve glory.

©2024 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2024 Audible Originals, LLC.

excellent presentation

listened in one night when I should have been sleeping. totally fascinating. would heartily recommend, especially before watching Gladiator.

Absolutely amazing

I would have liked an accompanying PDF and a printed version.

I found it very frustrating that after listening to the title I could not discuss with ChatGPT the content as it is not published to it.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

LOVED THIS!! It was so entertaining and the narrator was awesome!! Couldn’t recommend this enough to anyone interested in gladiators and Ancient Rome! Really enjoyed it and hope there is more to come.

Engaging

A intellectual steady flow of a time long ago. Love anything about ancient Rome, especially information about gladiators, the games on the sand and the colleseum.

A small slice of Roman history well told

I've always been interested in Roman history since my childhood in Northern Italy, but the subject of gladiators never caught my attention before. I tried this book because it was a freebee and was very pleased. The author knows his subject and delivers it well.

The Roman passion for games was great and had significant political impact. This fact hadn't really sunk in properly for me before, so I feel my understanding of Rome's culture has been significantly enhanced. Also, this is simply an enjoyable ride through the past. Lots of good observations along the way. And it's fun to hear the author read Latin with assurance (and follow up with a translation for the bits that eluded me).

Author knows his subject! Very informative as well as entertaining.

I had to slow the reading to 90%. In my opinion, the author speaks too fast; given his slight accent, it makes it a little harder to follow. But great listen!

A great overview of the gladiators

Really fun in depth look at the gladiators and how they trained and society around them during the Roman Empire days

detailed and interesting

this is a detailed and interesting exposition into the gladiator institution. I really wish it had a pdf though with the key names, dates and terms, even pictures - of the gladii, the helms, etc. It's an exciting addition to the library of any lover of roman history.

A short & not so happy life.

I enjoyed this book. When I was in Rome, they’d just begun excavating a gladiator training gym across from the Colosseum. Granted, some were the rock stars of their day, but for most, a brutal existence. It’s a shame more writings of the everyday people of Ancient Rome doesn’t exist. Enjoy!

A GLIMPSE AT GLADIATORS

A walk through the history of the gladiator era with a reminder that we are not as far removed from them as we would like to think.