Blood in the Arena

Archival Summary & Scope

Alison Futrell's study examines the amphitheaters of the Western Roman Empire as crucial social and political institutions that extended Roman power and culture. She traces the origins of gladiatorial contests and their role in reshaping Roman authority during the Republic, and their subsequent spread across the provinces to transmit Roman influence and control. Futrell further analyzes the religious and political implications of the arena's ritualized violence. Integrating insights from archaeology, anthropology, and Classics, this book broadens our understanding of gladiatorial contests within the Roman Empire's highly politicized cult practices.