Summary: Discussing the historical roots of the gladiatorial contests which took place in ancient Rome. Also includes film footage and expert analysis.

This "follow-up" to the award-winning film, GLADIATOR follows the Roman Gladiators as they train, choose their costumes, their choice of weapons, and their style of combat. Watch as their fame and popularity grow amongst the Romans, (in particular the Roman women,) all the way down to their unavoidable and horrible death. Narrated by David Hemmings, who played Cassius in GLADIATOR.

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A historically accurate look at the gladiators of ancient Rome is presented in this documentary filmed mostly in Rome and at the famed ruins of Pompeii. The roots of gladiatorial combat is traced to the harshness of Roman culture, and the way fighting between slaves went from casual attractions in town squares to enormous spectacles in specially built arenas throughout the Roman empire is explained by historians. Much of what we know about gladiators emerged from clues found when the buried Roman city of Pompeii was excavated and carefully examined, and drawings of gladiators found on walls in the ancient city are shown. The Roman gladiators became wildly popular cult figures, managed by businessmen and chased by what today we would call groupies. The "sport" of combat became increasingly violent, with each successive emperor raising the stakes until literally hundreds of people were involved in bloody spectacles staged for the entertainment of a screaming crowd. Using films of scholars who faithfully re-enact the roles of gladiators, as well as stock footage from Hollywood productions, this documentary provides a fairly comprehensive introduction to how gladiators lived, fought and died. --Robert J. McNamara

Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 0
Year:	2001
Release Date:	February 12, 2001
Runtime:	55 minutes
Certification:	Exempt.
Catalogue Number:	Q D 3216
Keywords:	Bloodsport, General, Gladiators, Documentaries, Biographies, Colosseum
Genre:	Documentaries & Biographies