Gladiatrix - Softcover

A great debut that shines an entirely new light on the glory and the bloodshed of the Roman arena. Whitfield paints a vivid picture of the fights and the passions of women combatants. It's exciting stuff, with well rounded characters, nail-biting duels to the death and vividly depicted settings. Gladiatrix makes Gladiator look very tame indeed!
--Simon Scarrow, author of Under the Eagle and Centurion

What a brilliant novel! Whitfield has taken one of history's curiosities -- the role of the female gladiator -- and woven from it a savage and splendid tale of the Roman arena . . . a tale that, once sampled, cannot be easily forgotten.
--Scott Oden, author of Men of Bronze and Memnon

Gladiatrix weaves a complex tale against the vivid background of Rome's far-flung Empire in the heady but dangerous days during the reign of Domitian. A must for anyone interested in Ancient Rome as well as for those who have yet to visit this fascinating era.
--Paul Doherty, author of The Alexander the Great Mysteries

Under the Flavian Emperors the Roman public s hunger for gladiatorial combat has never been greater. The Emperor Domitian s passion for novelty and variety in the arena has given rise to a very different kind of warrior: the Gladiatrix.

Sole survivor of a shipwreck off the coast of Asia Minor, Lysandra finds herself the property of Lucius Balbus, owner of the foremost Ludus for female gladiators in the Eastern Empire. Lysandra, a member of an ancient Spartan sect of warrior priestesses, refuses to accept her new status as a slave. Forced to fight for survival, her deadly combat skills win the adoration of the crowds, the respect of her Lanista, Balbus, and the admiration of Sextus Julius Frontinus, the provincial governor.

But Lysandra s Spartan pride also earns her powerful enemies: the Dacian warrior, Sorina,Gladiatrix Prima and leader of the Barbarian faction, and the sadistic Numidian trainer Nastasen.

When plans are laid for the ultimate combat spectacle to honour the visit of the new Consul, Lysandra must face her greatest and deadliest trial.