This short work by François Gilbert provides a wonderful overview of the history of the Roman gladiators during the first centuries CE. While the role of the gladiators and the gladiatorial combats were already well entrenched in Roman culture prior to the first century CE, this work begins following the Augustan reforms of the gladiatura, in which Augustus places the gladiatorial combats in the service of the imperial cause. Gilbert explores how Augustus used the gladiatorial combats to consolidate power and to demonstrate his public munificence. Subsequent emperors followed in Augustus’ footsteps until financial constraints required reforms under Marcus Aurelius and then later qualitative declines under the emperor Commodus. This work gives a wonderful introduction to the types of gladiators, and these descriptions are complemented by beautiful illustrations – both images of ancient depictions of gladiators and masterful colour illustrations by the illustrator, Giuseppe Rava. The last section provides detailed descriptions of the gear worn during gladiatorial combats. This text would be a valuable resource in the Latin classroom or in a history classroom, particularly if one were exploring the topic of the role which public sporting events play in politics and culture.