How much do you really know about Roman gladiators? Which gladiator used a net? Why were some gladiators given a wooden sword? Who was Spartacus? Each page in this series presents a large full-color illustration and simple paragraph containing fun facts about gear, historical figures, and day-to-day life that encourage kids to explore a high-interest topic in more detail. Readers can dip in at random or read from cover to cover. New vocabulary is bolded and defined in a glossary.

Includes index.

Most gladiators were slaves or captured enemy soldiers -- Gladiators trained at special schools -- Gladiators fought in arenas called amphitheaters -- The contests had two referees -- Some gladiators wore armor -- Some gladiators used a net -- Some gladiators fought on horseback -- Others fought from chariots -- Some gladiators fought lions -- A defeated gladiator raised his finger -- The crowd decided the fate of a defeated gladiator -- A gladiator's favorite prize was a wooden sword -- Some fights ended in a draw -- Gladiators had fans like modern-day football stars -- Some emperors fought as gladiators -- Gladiators could become rich and powerful -- The gladiator Spartacus led a slave rebellion -- Some gladiators were women.