From the Book - First hardcover edition.
Introduction: Twenty-four hours in the Colosseum
Vesper (evening). The cena libera ; Diet and body shape ; Food and participants ; Backgrounds ; Disgrace and the elite ; Privacy ; Reasons ; A mosaic and conversations ; Revenge
Prima vigilia (the first watch of the night). The schools ; The oath ; Training ; Sex
Secunda vigilia (the second watch of the night). The measure of time ; The difficulties of sleeping ; The cult of sleeplessness ; Sleeping as weakness and wickedness ; Sleep and darkness as fear and death
Tertia vigilia (the third watch of the night). The importance of dreams ; How to be a dream diviner ; Dreams about gladiators ; The dreams of gladiators
Quarta vigilia (the fourth watch of the night). Security ; Roman suicides ; Gladiator suicides
Conticinium (just before dawn). Popularity ; Anticipation ; Origins and history ; The Colosseum and amphitheaters ; Justification and opposition
Prima lux (first light). The procession ; Society stratified in stone ; The salute ; Warm-up acts
Matutinus (morning). Attitudes to animals ; Events ; Hunting ; Universal empire: geography ; Universal empire: nature
Tempus meridianum (midday). Half-empty stands ; Entertainments ; Executions ; Spectacular executions ; Christians to the lion! ; Sexual executions
Tempus postmeridianum (afternoon). Last words and arrangements ; Types of gladiators ; The laws of the fight ; The mind of the gladiator ; Mass combat ; Defeat, death, and victory
Solis occasus (sunset). Gifts ; Politics and the crowd ; The emperor and the crowd
Vesper (evening). Magic and medicine ; The future of the games ; The future of the gladiator
