Arena: First Sword (Part Three of the Roman Arena Series)

Simon Scarrow · T. J. Andrews

Mar 2013 · Hachette UK

About this ebook

The third novella in Simon Scarrow's Roman Arena series sees gladiator Pavo and mentor Macro fight for their lives amid a bloody revolt.


The imperial gladiator school in Capua: once the pride of the Roman Empire, lately driven to the brink of ruin by a greedy lanista. Now the school welcomes its newest recruit: Marcus Valerius Pavo, the high-born gladiator with a string of impressive victories to his name, sworn to seek revenge for the brutal murder of his father. Meanwhile Lucius Cornelius Macro, the decorated optio of the Second Legion, has been appointed as the school's new lanista. Macro faces a race against time to turn the school around before the start of the games in Rome, held in honour of the new Emperor. But when a notorious tribal warrior sets in motion a violent uprising, Macro and Pavo find themselves caught in a desperate struggle for survival...

Ratings and reviews

total con, 80 tiny pages per "book". 5 books at a cost of just under a 10 spot. a real paperback would be cheaper. Google doing its usual in book sales. give your cash to your local independent book shop

Could not put book down. Was gripping in every sense of the word.

Good read

About the author

Simon Scarrow's passion for writing began at an early age. After a childhood spent travelling the world he pursued his great love of history as a teacher, before becoming a full-time writer. His Roman soldier heroes Cato and Macro first stormed the book shops in UNDER THE EAGLE, and have subsequently appeared in a number of bestsellers. He lives outside Norwich with his family.