Around 180 CE, in the lavish amphitheatres of the Roman Empire, trained gladiators entertained vast audiences by fighting to the death. Armed with a sword, a lance or a harpoon, the gladiator faced his opponent: a wild animal ready to strike, or a condemned criminal looking to save his own life. When the duel began, bloodthirsty spectators cheered, applauding every severed limb and spurt of blood. Ultimately, there could be only one outcome in the gladiatorial arena – one dead body, and one victorious champion. From the Samurai in Japan to Muhammad Ali in the boxing ring, Gladiators traces the evolution of one-to-one combat through the ages.