Those Who Are About to Die

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

“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

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

“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

“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 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)