Gladiator

About “Gladiator”

The 2009 novel by Simon Scarrow follows centurions Macro and Cato as they return to Rome from a campaign against the Parthians. Their ship is nearly destroyed by a tidal wave, and they arrive in the Cretan port of Matala to find the town devastated by an earthquake. The disaster has killed thousands and triggered a slave rebellion. Local bandits exploit the chaos, encouraging Cretans to rise against Roman rule. With many Roman troops injured or killed, the province's governor asks Macro and Cato for assistance. They must act quickly to stop the rebellion from driving the Romans from the island.