This illustrated study reveals the world of the gladiators of ancient Rome, who provided a bloody spectacle for the people of the Eternal City and its vast empire. From the beginning of the Principate in 27 BC, gladiatorial games were a constant part of the social and political life of Rome and its vast empire. After the reforms instituted by Augustus, the games remained at the heart of Roman culture and politics during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. During this period, prominent citizens exploited the opportunities offered by the games to enhance their own reputations and reward their clients, while emperors soon assumed almost a monopoly on providing games, some even entered the arena themselves, the most notorious being Commodus. In the search for innovation, prisoners, criminals, and women took part in this gruesome "sport". Only after the adoption of Christianity as the state religion in 380 AD did the decline of armed combat between gladiators begin, but even then hunting activities remained until the 6th century. Although much evidence remains, both literary and archaeological, gladiators and their world continue to be misinterpreted. With full-color depictions of these legendary arena fighters, this book draws on the latest research and the author's findings to shed new light on these striking arena warriors and their legacy.