His name means 'one with curly hair' in Gaulish. Born in Gaul, he was enslaved by the Romans under unknown circumstances and trained as a gladiator in Capua. It will help you to understand the book much better.Crixus (died 72 BC) was a Gallic gladiator and military leader in the Third Servile War between the Roman Republic and rebel slaves. Look at the history of Hanibal Barca and his crossing of the Alps. Take a map of Italy and make a note of several cities. Things like that.īefore reading this book, please, make a little research about Rome, its army and the history of the gladiators.

I wondered what could have happen if his decisions and those of his brothers in arms were different. Interestingly, NO! Why?! Because I enjoyed taking pauses and replaying the completed part of the story in my mind. Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? I listened the next book about Spartacus and equally loved it. Have you listened to any of Michael Praed’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I lived his each and every moment, fought all battles and shouted along (For Thrace!!!!!!!) while driving my car. Throughout the book the author made me feel like I was Spartacus (not that I would not like to be). The author managed to present Spartacus in much more powerful character yet, preserved his gentle and human side. The best part of this story is that it does not destroy the already formed vision of the hero nor the history or battles. I read several books about Spartacus: 1969 Spartacus by Rafaello Giovagnoli, historical facts and Spartacus: The Gladiator, Spartacus: The Rebellion. If you could sum up Spartacus: The Gladiator in three words, what would they be? Now Ben Kane, the brilliant author of The Forgotten Legion and Hannibal: Enemy of Rome, brings to glorious life the first part of the Spartacus story. The legend that is Spartacus has come down to us through the centuries - the story of a man who took on the might of Rome and nearly brought her down. When a Roman slave trader comes to the village in search of men who will fight as gladiators, Spartacus is betrayed and sold. Treacherous and cunning, he has seized the crown by murder and he will hold on to it by violence. But home is no longer the safe haven of his imagination. Skilled, hardened in battle, a sophisticated fighter. This Thracian has fought in the Roman legions for nearly a decade.

Large parts of his homeland, Thrace, a land north of Greece, has fallen under the hated power of Rome. But one man is making the long and weary last stage of his way home. As winter approaches in 74 BC, few travellers are abroad.

Spartacus rome gladiator