- Hardcover: 153 pages
- Publisher: British Museum Press (Nov 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 071412317X
- ISBN-13: 978-0714123172
- Product Dimensions: 30.2 x 24.6 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 686,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
Desgined to accompany a major new international exhibition, this book tackles the politics behind the great if bloodthirsty spectacle of Games such as gladiatorial combats, athletics and chariot racing and the Theatre in Ancient Rome. The authors examine the social and political roles occupied by all types of performance as they became increasingly secularized; they also look at the buildings in which they took place, the equipment used and the prestige involved for participants and actors. With particular reference to the Roman festival calendar and the origins and development of the Games, "Gladiators and Caesars" is a welcome and thorough exploration of the relationship between politics and entertainment and the role of the audience. Concluding with a timely comparison of Games then and now, this book should appeal to experts, students and the interested public alike.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the best reference book about gladiators that I have discovered so far. Clearly written, beautifully illustrated, published by the British Museum and with Ralph Jackson's supervision of the English edition, it is surely the definitive work on gladiators. This large format book also has some very useful sections on the ancient theatre, Roman chariot races, and Greek athletic competitions in Rome.
My gladiator re-enactor friends first recommended it to me, and they were right!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
A Vivid View of Ancient Sports
11 Jan 2001
Format:Paperback
The authors of _Gladiators and Caesars: The Power of Spectacle in Ancient Rome_ (University of California Press; edited by Eckart Köhne and Cornelia Ewigleben) can't help drawing parallels to our own games, or our modern depictions of them. You won't find remarks on the authenticity of the recent movie _Gladiator_, but you can learn plenty about _Ben Hur_. The book shows in profuse illustrations the different categories of gladiator, the weapons each was assigned, and the role they played in the games. It goes into the fates of those who were sentenced to the amphitheater; those sentenced to be torn by wild beasts had no chance, but there were others who were sentenced to gladiatorial school and could possibly gain freedom, money, and celebrity. Of course, they had to survive plenty of mortal combat to do so. The book tells repeatedly about how different Caesars used the games to defuse public anger about governmental conditions. The scholars are complimentary about _Ben Hur_: "Although there are a number of inaccuracies, the film as a whole thrillingly conveys the character and atmosphere, one might even say the quintessence, of such a sporting event, in a way that scholarly attention to detail could never have done on its own."
A handsome, profusely illustrated, big (though paperbound) book, _Gladiators and Caesars_ has thorough detail about a facet of sports history which we can be glad is now past, but which was important in consolidating power in an empire whose history still affects us. Those who enjoy sports will especially find the analogies to modern competition, hero-worship, and media superstardom amusing and enlightening. Those who have no interest in sports will perhaps remember the brutality of gladiatorial combat, and confronted with endless bowl games or professional wrestling while scanning for something good on TV, will be thankful things aren't worse.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Outstanding
29 Dec 2000
Format:Paperback
I originally purchased this book under the presumption that it would some nice lite reading to add to my knowledge about Roman society only to be delightfully surprised that this was an indepth, accurate and insightful look into not only the world of the gladiator, but of all public preformers of Rome
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Fine book, lavishly illustrated
18 Nov 2008
Format:Paperback
The Romans provided spectacular entertainment in their arenas. Yes, the noxii--the condemned--were brutally attacked and killed by wild animals. But it was the gladiators that really drew the crowds.
Gladiatorial combat was not invented by the Romans. They only perfected it. They fought on a sandy surface--sand to absorb the blood, and the public "gave loyal support not only to individual heroes of the arena but to certain categories of gladiators. The first and second centuries AD saw passionate altercations between the supporters of gladiators fighting with the large shield and gladiators who fought with the small shield" (p 35).
Gladiators were despised as a social class. After all, many of the gladiators were slaves or from the condemned. Nevertheless, athletes who won fight after fight became stars, and even the wives of Roman senators were whispered to have crushes on them.
Gladiatorial combat was not invented by the Romans. They only perfected it. They fought on a sandy surface--sand to absorb the blood, and the public "gave loyal support not only to individual heroes of the arena but to certain categories of gladiators. The first and second centuries AD saw passionate altercations between the supporters of gladiators fighting with the large shield and gladiators who fought with the small shield" (p 35).
Gladiators were despised as a social class. After all, many of the gladiators were slaves or from the condemned. Nevertheless, athletes who won fight after fight became stars, and even the wives of Roman senators were whispered to have crushes on them.
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