The Romans who fearlessly fought in the Colosseum had varied backgrounds. Some were slaves and criminals forced to fight to the death. Others trained and volunteered for the task. Their goal was clear from the first step in the arena: the floor was sandy, so blood would be easy to clean up. Gladiator combat is a common topic when discussing the Roman Empire. Readers of this volume, however, will discover all the incredible details of gladiator life from the porridge they ate to the muscle massages they received! A glossary of gladiator terms and a timeline complement the main content.