Preview

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The Real Life of a Roman Gladiator

By: Alexander Mariotti, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Alexander Mariotti
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.95

Buy for $14.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

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.
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

About the Creator

Alexander Mariotti, like all good Romans, has an eclectic background. Of Scottish and Italian descent, he grew up in various countries from Italy to Africa before moving to Scotland in his early teens. Spurred on by his father's passion for history and his mother’s artistic talent, Alexander focused his studies on Roman history and culture, before working in Paris in the Louvre for two years. It wouldn't be long ‘til all roads led back to Rome. Following on from academic work in Europe, Alexander worked in the Vatican Museum, the Colosseum, and a brief stint in the Vatican Secret Archive.
In recent years he has become a historian to the stars, arranging private lectures that mix history and culture with a personalized touch. His reputation has led to notable names like Tom Cruise, the Kardashians, Dustin Hoffman, and Bill Gates seeking his services. Academic work has been balanced with media responsibilities as an historical consultant and adviser, contributing to countless documentaries and movies. Alexander is one of the world’s leading speakers on gladiatorial life, combat, and weaponry.

What listeners say about The Real Life of a Roman Gladiator

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.