Gladiator tales
History Extra podcast
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Gladiators: From Rites to Political Spectacle
This chapter explores the evolution of gladiatorial games from Etruscan funerary rites to a tool for political ambition in ancient Rome, particularly through Julius Caesar's extravagant displays. It examines the lives of gladiators, the perils they faced, the medical aspects of their careers, and the societal dynamics that drove them to fight in the arena.
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