Have you seen Gladiator or Spartacus and felt that a gladiator's lifestyle might have something going for it? This entertaining book will certain give you all the information you need to make your decision. Drawing on ancient literary sources and archaeological evidence, Philip Matyszak has put together a comprehensive guide to a gladiatorial career. Find out what kind of people became gladiators, how many different specialities there were, what to eat to keep in top condition, and much more. There are plenty of eye-opening illustrations, of both ancient representations of gladiators and modern re-enactors, all appropriately spattered with blood.