How to Live Like a Roman Gladiator

“The good news is that I survived the journey. The bad news is that I’m at the slave market, about to be sold as a slave.” A first-century villager named Felix narrates his evolution from prisoner to slave to gladiator in this irreverent tour of life in the Roman empire, discussing the legend of Spartacus, the weapons and armament used by different gladiators, and the training they underwent. Epelbaum’s slightly caricatured cartoons are virtually bloodless and almost run the risk of glorifying this brutal combat, if it weren’t for the many grim details in the text. A list of “gory gladiator facts” and a glossary conclude the book. Simultaneously available: How to Live Like a Medieval Knight, How to Live Like a Stone-Age Hunter, and How to Live Like a Viking Warrior. Ages 8–12. (Oct.)