Gladiators have been the subject of fascination and legend for centuries, whether they were fighting fellow gladiators, exotic animals, or participating in hunts. Readers will be engrossed in the history of this potentially deadly sport, its development, and its rise and fall. This tell-all text covers the wide variety of warriors who took part in this vicious combat, their armor, weapons, and their lives including their stardom, the less-than-glamorous, and the gruesome. This enlightening resource also features the equipment, weapons, and armor that made for the most grisly entertainment, bringing crowds to their feet, in both horror and delight.