How did gladiators take hold in Rome? Where did they come from and how was their use moulded by the big political events of the 1st century BC?

In this episode I get into this and other aspects such as a few myths and their fighting stats.

Thanks to Gladiator Doodles for the fab artwork!

Full episode notes including a transcript, sources and images on ancientblogger.com

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).