A grippingly original way of making the alien world of the Roman amphitheatre both accessible and comprehensible * Tom Holland, co-host of The Rest is History and Sunday Times bestselling author of Rubicon * A most enjoyable book. Ingeniously, Sidebottom uses twenty-four hours in the life of a gladiator as a springboard for a fascinating exploration of Roman ways and the Roman mind * Matthew Kneale, Sunday Times bestselling author of Rome: A History in Seven Sackings * Prepare yourselves to enter the arena! Once again, Sidebottom brings the ancient world vividly and dazzlingly to life. A thrilling book... every page sizzles * Alice Loxton, Sunday Times bestselling author of Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives * A masterful journey which takes the reader into the heart of Roman culture by exploring the lives of its gladiators. Sidebottom combines meticulous scholarship with electrifying storytelling, revealing how the arenas shaped Roman ideals of courage and freedom. A vivid window into the ancient mind * Donald J. Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius * Buy the book; it's very entertaining -- David Aaronovitch * The Times on The Mad Emperor * The decadence, debauchery and sexual promiscuity that marked the adolescents time on the imperial throne make for a rollicking read. * Daily Mail on The Mad Emperor * Ancient history was never less dry than in Harry Sidebottoms superbly entertaining and always scholarly account of the reign of Heliogabalus... There is something for every reader: sex, politics, scandals and a compelling portrait of imperial society and culture * Financial Times on The Mad Emperor *
