Product Description

The Gladiatorial games of the Ancient Roman world used prisoners of war, conquered slaves or condemned criminals as dispensable "extras". Some, however, volunteered for the profession and their fame spread throughout the Empire, from tavern to Imperial Palace. This title relates how these combatants were encouraged to draw their opponents' blood and prolong his death, thus giving the public what they wanted to see. It relates how they were recruited and trained, and many types of gladiator are covered, from the net-wielding Retiarius to the fish-helmeted Myrmilo.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #415285 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 64 pages

About the Author
Stephen Wisdom's interest in history was first awakened through his involvement with medieval drama, an interest that continues to influence his writing and illustrating career. An experienced re-enactor, he believes that a historical drama can educate just as well as a textbook, and he has undertaken a variety of historic roles. Based in a quiet village in eastern England, he currently devotes himself to writing, sculpture, and making armour. Angus McBride, one of the world's most respected historical illustrators, has contributed to more than 75 Osprey titles over the past 25 years. Since 1976, he has lived and worked in the Republic of South Africa, in Cape Town.

Customer Reviews

disappointing!!
As an archaelogist and author of a small book on the history and equipment of gladiators, I was curious to see how the subject was treated in an excellent series like Osprey Warrior.
The book has some nice pictures, but the text is really bad: uncomplete, historically disputable, archaelogically unacceptable. One for all: the author doesn't even mention the "Samnite" archaic type of gladiator.
A missed chance and a black spot on Osprey shining catalogue

An author is not necessarily a good artist
The text was pretty good, even if some facts are difficult to accept. The colour plates painted by Angus Mcbride are worth to be seen. However, I am rather disappointed with the clumsy drawings made by author himself. All the valuable detail so well visible on the ancient paintings and mosaics is lost. Quite frankly I would prefer the same book with the original photos of those contemporary images or some proper drawings taken from the other history books. My suggestion is, reprinting the book after some years, publisher should replace those drawings and I would consider buying the reprint myself in order to get a properly illustrated issue.

A rushed effort to ride the wave of the film ?
I got the impression that the writer and artist ( sorry Angus !)were not familiar enough with the subject matter and hadn't taken stock of the latest thinking. I wasn't happy with the Provocator paired with a Hoplomachus as all illustrations I have seen show the former as the only same type pairing and the latter against Thracian or Myrmillo. A Secutor with double shin plates & a Myrmillo with a Secutors left leg kit doesn't seem right . This combined with confusing plate commentation left me feeling short changed considering the quoted biliography. Big scrappy drawings made it look rushed.