"Gladiators, an exciting account of the ancient Roman institution of arena combat, traces the bloody 800-year history of the bustuarii from their rise during the third century B.C. to their eventual abolition at the end of the fifth century A.D. The popularity of gladiatorial combat dramatizes the paradox of Roman civilization: poets, philosophers, and politicians glorifying this brutal and savage institution in a culture remarkable for its contributions to government, law, literature, philosophy, and art--a culture that was a cornerstone of Western civilization. Although no amount of explanation can mitigate the savagery, in some ways good things came out of this almost-supreme evil. It brought forth countless acts if individual courage, it created one of the world's greatest architectural forms, and it inspired a number of thoughtful men to write down violent protests that stood firm against this overwhelming tide of brutality. Illustrations of mosaics, statuettes, reliefs, and the remains of arenas and amphitheaters illuminate the text."--Provided by publisher

マイケル・グラントは本書で、洗練されたローマ文明と剣闘士の残酷な死闘という、不条理なパラドックスを鋭く剔抉しています。法や芸術の礎を築いた知性たちがなぜ血の惨劇を熱望したのか。歴史の深淵に迫る筆致は、人間性の根源的な矛盾を鮮烈に描き出します。 凄惨な暴力の影に潜む個人の勇気や、野蛮に抗った知識人たちの静かなる闘志。残された美術品から当時の熱狂を蘇らせるグラントの洞察は、負の歴史の中に宿る人間の気高さを見事に掬い上げています。知的好奇心を激しく揺さぶる、重厚で情熱的な歴史文学の傑作です。