{"product_id":"the-way-of-the-gladiator-9781504090889","title":"The Way of the Gladiator","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe book that inspired the stories of \u003ci\u003eGladiator\u003c\/i\u003e \u0026amp; \u003ci\u003eGladiator\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e II\u003c\/i\u003e: Step into the ring with this classic, in-depth account of the ancient Romans' obsession with the bloody and brutal games.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"[\u003ci\u003eThe Way of the Gladiator \u003c\/i\u003eis] this crazy, tawdry, wild book about the Coliseum. . . . It hardwired in my brain the absolute similarities between who we \u003ci\u003eare\u003c\/i\u003e and who we \u003ci\u003ewere\u003c\/i\u003e.\" --David Franzoni, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of \u003ci\u003eGladiator\u003c\/i\u003e and producer of \u003ci\u003eGladiator II\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eOriginally published under the title \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eThose About to Die\u003ci\u003e.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"If you can imagine a superior American sports writer suddenly being transported back in time to cover the ancient Roman games, you will have some idea of the flavor and zest of \u003ci\u003eThe Way of the Gladiator\u003c\/i\u003e,\" said the \u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e about Daniel P. Mannix's century-by-century--and nearly moment-by-moment--narrative of the Roman Empire's national institution. Putting the games in the context of Rome's rise and dramatic fall, Mannix captures all the history, planning, and savage pageantry that went into creating the first spectator sports. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The games began in 238 BC as nearly county fair-like entertainment, with trick riding, acrobats, trained animals, chariot racing, and athletic events. The contests then evolved into slave fights thanks to wealthy patricians Marcus and Decimus Brutus, who wanted to give their father an unforgettable funeral by reviving an old tradition. What the brothers wrought, Rome devoured, demanding even greater violence to satisfy the bloodlust of the crowd. Architectural wonders in themselves, massive arenas like Circus Maximus and the Colosseum were built, able to host sea battle reenactments on actual water. Successful gladiators found fame, fortune--and freedom. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e But as Rome began to fall in the fifth century, so did the games, devolving into nothing more than pointless massacres. In the end, millions of humans and animals were sacrificed in barbaric displays. What were once ceremonies given in honor of gods met an inglorious fate, yet they still captivate--in book and in film--the imagination of people today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Open Road Integrated Media LLC\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/22\/2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781504090889\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 212\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.55lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.00h x 5.25w x 0.49d","brand":"Daniel P. Mannix, Michael Stephenson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44752371941557,"sku":"9781504090889","price":16.14,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_66e6d8f4-d2f2-4ff0-ad82-96fb6fa536e0.jpg?v=1730215013","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-way-of-the-gladiator-9781504090889","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}