For almost eight hundred years men and women from all levels of Roman society were entertained by battles for life and death in the arena. This study, translated from the Dutch, draws on documentary evidence, as well as works of art and gravestones, to discuss the history of gladiators, looking at their daily lives, their place in society, their cost and earnings, the arenas they fought in, their fights against other gladiators or animals, the Colosseum programme of events, sea battles, the disposal of the dead, the odds against survival and their depiction in Spartacus and Gladiator .

The Gladiators: History's Most Deadly Sport

History

Meijer, Fik

Ancient Civilizations

Souvenir Press Ltd.

Superfit, muscled, and macho, gladiators were hero-worshipped for their skills and courage as they fought to the death, yet despised for their humble status. For over six cruel centuries, tens of thousands died in the blood soaked arenas of Rome and its colonies, watched by enthralled crowds screaming for violence. Professor Fik Meijer has ingeniously pieced together their true stories from contemporary evidence, describing the gladiators' origins, daily life, training, and the odds of their survival pitted against their legions of fans' lust for blood and spectacle.

Thomas Dunne Books

Superfit, muscled, and macho, gladiators were hero-worshipped for their skills and courage as they fought to the death, yet despised for their humble status. For over six cruel centuries, tens of thousands died in the blood soaked arenas of Rome and its colonies, watched by enthralled crowds screaming for violence. Professor Fik Meijer has ingeniously pieced together their true stories from contemporary evidence, describing the gladiators' origins, daily life, training, and the odds of their survival pitted against their legions of fans' lust for blood and spectacle.

St. Martin's: Griffin

This book presents an introduction to the nature of trade and transport in antiquity through a selection of translated literary, papyrological, epigraphical and legal sources. Lesser-known texts are included, as well as familiar ones, which illustrate a range of aspects of ancient trade and transport: from the role of the authorities, to the status of traders, to the capacity and speed of ancient ships. Meijer and van Nijf's starting point is the ideology and practice of ancient trade. The book deals with Greek and Roman value systems and elite attitudes towards trade, then discusses the realities of trade across the entire ancient world. Special attention is given to forms of exchange other than commercial exchange, the attitudes of authorities to trade and ways in which trade was organized. The principle commodities of ancient trade are outlined in detail: grain, wool and textiles, wine and oil, building materials and slaves. It is clear that the actual means of transportation were crucial - this book illustrates the limitations of ancient transport technology and the consequences for the development of commerce.

Trade, transport, and society in the ancient world: A sourcebok

Business & Money

Routledge

This fresh and engaging book looks at each of the Roman emperors from Julius Caesar in 44BC to Romulus Augustulus in AD 476, illuminating not only the manner of their deaths but what their final days tell us about their lives. We also hear how the most powerful position in the history of the Western world held a permanent appeal, despite its perils, with eager candidates constantly coming forward to seize the throne. Very few of the Roman emperors died a natural death. The insane Caligula was murdered after leaving the theatre; Caracalla while he was relieving himself. Caesar was stabbed twenty three times and Otho was dragged into the Tiber with a flesh-hook. However great an emperor's power, danger was ever present. Emperors Don't Die in Bed provides a clear history of the imperial succession as well as a compelling depiction of the intrigue and drama of Roman imperial politics.

Emperors Don't Die in Bed

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

Shipped from UK, please allow 10 to 21 business days for arrival. Very Good, A fine copy in blue cloth boards, gold gilt title on spine with a very good, near fine, dustjacket.

A History of Seafaring in the Classical World

Croom Helm

A massive crowd of people, cloaked in the colors of their beloved athletes, slowly fill a 150,000-seat arena to cheer on their favorite teams. Athletes enter the stadium amid great pomp and circumstance as opposing fans hurl insults at one another and place bets on the day’s outcome. Although this familiar scene might describe a contemporary football game, it also portrays a day at the chariot races in ancient Rome, where racers were the sports stars of the ancient world.
Following close on the heels of his successful book on gladiators, Fik Meijer reveals all there is to know about chariot racing in the Roman Empire. After recounting the Nika riot of 532 AD―where tens of thousands of people were killed after a politically heated tournament of races―Meijer reviews the historical background, organization, and popularity of these games. He profiles the sport’s famous teams, jockeys, and horses and discusses how the whole business fed into the strategy of Juvenal’s "bread and circuses" to keep the citizenry happy. 
Expertly translated by Liz Waters, Chariot Racing in the Roman Empire also examines the political importance of these spectacles, where patricians and plebeians alike filled the stadiums. Meijer sees these contests not so much as an opiate for the people but as a political barometer: the Circus Maximus was the only place in the Empire where the supreme leader was confronted with the approval or disapproval of his people.
Meijer makes use of scarce and obscure sources in this lively narrative, describing an exciting race with such enthusiasm readers will feel they are in the stands themselves. From the length of the track and the need to ride small horses, to the risks, techniques, and training methods involved in racing, Meijer recreates ancient Rome’s favorite pastime in impressive detail.

Chariot Racing in the Roman Empire

Industries

Johns Hopkins University Press

A History of Seafaring in the Classical World (Routledge Revivals)

A History of Seafaring in the Classical World, first published in 1986, presents a complete treatment of all aspects of the maritime history of the Classical world, designed for the use of students as well as scholars. Beginning with Crete and Mycenae in the third millennium BC, the author expounds a concise history of seafaring up to the sixth century AD. The development of ship design and of the different types of ship, the varied purposes of shipping, and the status and conditions of sailors are all discussed. Many of the most important sea battles are investigated, and the book is illustrated with a number of line drawings and photographs. Greek and Latin word are only used if they are technical terms, ensuring A History of Seafaring in the Classical World is accessible to students of ancient history who are not familiar with the Classical languages.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Meijer, Fik. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Meijer, Fik

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Meijer, Fik. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Gladiators: History's Most Deadly Sport

The Gladiators: History's Most Deadly Sport

The Gladiators: History's Most Deadly Sport

Trade, transport, and society in the ancient world: A sourcebok

Emperors Don't Die in Bed

A History of Seafaring in the Classical World

Chariot Racing in the Roman Empire

Emperors Don't Die in Bed

Emperors Don't Die in Bed

A History of Seafaring in the Classical World (Routledge Revivals)