Harry Sidebottom

Dr. Harry Sidebottom, a best-selling author and expert on Roman history, dives into the gritty life of gladiators. He reveals the duality of these figures, from condemned slaves to celebrated heroes, and discusses their rigorous training and dietary struggles. The guests explore rituals like the Cana Libera feast before a fight, and the varied motivations behind individuals becoming gladiators. Listeners also learn about the fascinating crowd dynamics, the significance of midday executions, and the complex relationship between gladiators and their audience.

Harry Sidebottom, a historian and author known for his work on gladiators and ancient Rome, takes us behind the scenes of life in the gladiatorial arena. He explores how Romans perceived violence and the crowd's mixed feelings, while tracing the origins of the games from funerary rites to political spectacles. Sidebottom reveals the surprising survival rates of gladiators, their rigorous daily routines, and various types of fighters, including the existence of female gladiators. He dives into the social status of these combatants and what these thrilling spectacles say about Roman identity.

Join Harry Sidebottom, a Lecturer in Ancient History at Oxford and bestselling author, as he dives into the world of Roman gladiators. Discover how gladiatorial games reveal Roman beliefs about life and death, and learn surprising facts about their diets and training regimens. Harry discusses the complexities of their lives, from being symbols of hope to facing brutal realities. He also explores the links between gladiators and legionaries, the cultural perceptions of this iconic role, and how Stoic philosophy shaped their resilience in the arena.