Those Who Are About to Die
A Day in the Life of a Roman Gladiator

Quotes

“If you think that having watched the movies Spartacus (1960) and Gladiator (2000) gave you a fairly good idea of the life of the gladiator in ancient Rome, you have another think coming. That think, as it happens, is now available in Those Who Are About to Die, Harry Sidebottom’s excellent study of the gladiator in the various aspects of his life. . . . Richly detailed. . . . When it comes to the enjoyment of violence, of men attacking other men, it may well be that we haven’t come all that far from Rome.” —Joseph Epstein, The Wall Street Journal

“Russell Crowe was good, but this book is even better. . . . Are you not entertained? You will be—and endlessly so—by Harry Sidebottom’s Those Who Are About to Die. . . . Stunningly innovative. . . . [From the rousing to the ribald, Sidebottom hews closely to ancient Greek and Latin sources and, like a seasoned codebreaker, unlocks long-ago texts to bring their wit, grit, and humanity to his narrative. The level of scholarship is impressive and multifarious: from eyewitness accounts and tombstone inscriptions to sculptures, frescoes, and excavated mosaic pieces, Sidebottom explains what is happening in a given image or inscription in a direct yet playful way that’s easy for contemporary readers to absorb and enjoy. . . .] Never have the ancient Romans seemed so close to us. . . . Sidebottom somehow makes a book about gladiators into a delightful and revealing Rome 101. Those Who Are About to Die is a panoramic and expertly written tell-all about the iconic fighter and the cultural soil from which he emerged.” —Peggy Kurkowski, Washington Independent Review of Books

"A grippingly original way of making the alien world of the Roman Amphitheatre both accessible and comprehensible." —Tom Holland, cohost of The Rest is History and author of Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic

"A masterful journey which takes the reader into the heart of Roman culture by exploring the lives of its gladiators. Sidebottom combines meticulous scholarship with electrifying storytelling, revealing how the arenas shaped Roman ideals of courage and freedom. A vivid window into the ancient mind." —Donald J. Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

“A myth-slaying history of the world of Roman fighters . . . Sidebottom, an Oxford academic who specialises in ancient warfare and an author of historical fiction, blends extensive research with a talent for vivid storytelling to distil 700 years of gladiator history into the 24 hours around match day, from eve-of-fight rituals to stripping the corpses.” —Patrick Kidd, The Times (London)

“Harry Sidebottom manages to break out of a crowded field—in part because of his artful presentation, but more because of his exacting attention to the scattered and often vexing primary sources. The result is a vivid portrayal of the mindscape that created these fighting entertainers and for so long promoted their monstrous and expensive trade, simultaneously despised and exalted.” —T. Corey Brennan, Times Literary Supplement

"Prepare yourselves to enter the arena! Once again, Sidebottom brings the ancient world vividly and dazzlingly to life. A thrilling book . . . every page sizzles." —Alice Loxton, author of Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives

"A most enjoyable book. Ingeniously, Sidebottom uses twenty-four hours in the life of a gladiator as a springboard for a fascinating exploration of Roman ways and the Roman mind." —Matthew Kneale, author of Rome: A History in Seven Sackings

“This book is two splendid things at once. It is the most readable and up-to-date scholarly account of the ancient Roman gladiatorial games, and it is also a fine introduction to Roman culture in general.” —Ronald Hutton, author of Oliver Cromwell: Commander in Chief

“A remarkable way to arrange a book. . . . It allows for a range of topics concerning the ancient world to be covered, across the broad range of time (centuries, in fact) in which gladiators fought, while never straying from the central focus on the gladiators themselves.” —Mark DeSantis, Military History Matters

“Wonderfully panoramic. . . . It is endlessly informative, rich with unexpected details but never heavy to read.” —Literary Review

“An earthy, vivid tour of daily life among ancient warriors. . . . Read this book not just to slake your cinematic thirst for Rome, but for the rich details that show us how these men who were about to die sought to preserve their inner lives behind the public show.” —Kirkus Reviews