{"product_id":"gladiator-the-complete-guide-to-ancient-romes-bloody-fighters-9780762773930","title":"Gladiator: The Complete Guide To Ancient Rome's Bloody Fighters","description":"\u003cp\u003eGladiatorial games at first served as a solemn funeral rite to honor noble citizens. At the height of their eight-century reign of popularity, the games-which constantly evolved to include new events such as combat with animals and full-scale naval battles-formed the centerpiece of a huge entertainment industry run by cunning entrepreneurs and regulated carefully by the Roman government. Professional gladiators were highly trained and often highly paid, and their ranks, for a time, included women. Slaves who became gladiators could earn their freedom in as few as four wins. They were the boxers or football players of their day. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the author of \u003ci\u003eAncient and Medieval Siege Weapons\u003c\/i\u003e comes this eye-opening new look at one of the most popular spectacles of ancient Rome. A richly detailed, fascinating guide, \u003ci\u003eGladiator \u003c\/i\u003eprovides a complete, breathtaking tour of gladiator customs and covers every aspect of the gladiator phenomenon-from the types of equipment the different classes of gladiator used, to the high place in society occupied by these sportsmen who were prepared to die.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eKonstantin Nossov\u003c\/b\u003e is a noted researcher on ancient and medieval arms, armor, fortresses, and warfare as well as the author of numerous books on these subjects--including \u003ci\u003eAncient and Medieval Siege Weapons\u003c\/i\u003e (Lyons Press).\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Lyons Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50412982206738,"sku":"9780762773930","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_b9a3e79c-fb9f-4339-a7e1-12f33d76b55f.jpg?v=1729337272","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/gladiator-the-complete-guide-to-ancient-romes-bloody-fighters-9780762773930","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}