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Roman Arena #1-5
Arena
It is AD 41. The city of Rome is a dangerous place.
Optio Macro of the Second Legion, recently decorated for courage on the battlefield, can't wait to leave the teeming city behind. He's dismayed when he's compelled to stay in Rome to train Marcus Valerius Pavo, a young gladiatorial recruit.
Though fearless Pavo has fought for his life before, he's a novice in the arena. But he's a driven man, with a goal dearer than survival - to avenge his father's death at the hands of a champion gladiator. Will he live to face his nemesis?
ARENA has previously been published as five separate ebook novellas. This print edition brings the complete series together.
Optio Macro of the Second Legion, recently decorated for courage on the battlefield, can't wait to leave the teeming city behind. He's dismayed when he's compelled to stay in Rome to train Marcus Valerius Pavo, a young gladiatorial recruit.
Though fearless Pavo has fought for his life before, he's a novice in the arena. But he's a driven man, with a goal dearer than survival - to avenge his father's death at the hands of a champion gladiator. Will he live to face his nemesis?
ARENA has previously been published as five separate ebook novellas. This print edition brings the complete series together.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2013
47 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
Simon Scarrow
172 books2,164 followersSimon Scarrow is a UK-based author, born in Nigeria, and now living in Norfolk. He completed a master's degree at the University of East Anglia, and, after working at the Inland Revenue, went into teaching as a lecturer at City College, Norwich.
He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.
Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.
He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.
Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 8, 2019
La Dama del Bosco - per RFS
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Avevo voglia di leggere un bel romanzo storico e, attirata dalla copertina, ho iniziato a leggere questo libro senza sapere cosa aspettarmi. I pochi libri che ho letto sui gladiatori trattavano, anche e spesso, di storie d’amore. Non è il caso di questo racconto, che parla solo di combattimenti!
Questo gran bell’intreccio racconta la storia del figlio di un senatore, considerato traditore e per questo condannato a morire nell’arena, per soddisfare l’imperatore. Sfortunatamente, le cose non vanno come l’organizzatore d’incontri aveva programmato: l’intenzione iniziale era di farlo morire sotto i colpi dei gladiatori esperti, ma il destino ha altri programmi. Da qui inizia una lunga serie di eventi, dove la politica si intreccerà con il sangue, la fatica con il tradimento, l’amicizia con il sudore.
Non so quanto sia accurato a livello storico, non sono in grado di giudicare se quanto descritto sia vero o meno; per le mie scarne conoscenze sembra più che reale. Soprattutto i combattimenti sono perfettamente descritti e validi, nel loro complesso. Affascinanti nel loro essere cruenti, mi hanno trasportata con agilità attraverso le pagine, volando come gladi affilati.
Come dicevo, manca completamente una storia d’amore, rimpiazzata da quella che diventerà una bella amicizia, seppur sofferta e per nulla lineare, perché quando c’è di mezzo la propria vita, le scelte non sono per nulla facili.
Consigliato a chi ha voglia di cambiare genere e di leggere di combattimenti all’ultimo sangue, a chi ama la potenza di Roma e le sue contraddizioni, perché se da un lato abbiamo portato civiltà, dall’altro il sangue dei suoi nemici o presunti tali è stato il tributo pagato.
Garbato e attento, Simon Scarrow non ha nulla da invidiare agli scrittori storici più famosi!
.
Avevo voglia di leggere un bel romanzo storico e, attirata dalla copertina, ho iniziato a leggere questo libro senza sapere cosa aspettarmi. I pochi libri che ho letto sui gladiatori trattavano, anche e spesso, di storie d’amore. Non è il caso di questo racconto, che parla solo di combattimenti!
Questo gran bell’intreccio racconta la storia del figlio di un senatore, considerato traditore e per questo condannato a morire nell’arena, per soddisfare l’imperatore. Sfortunatamente, le cose non vanno come l’organizzatore d’incontri aveva programmato: l’intenzione iniziale era di farlo morire sotto i colpi dei gladiatori esperti, ma il destino ha altri programmi. Da qui inizia una lunga serie di eventi, dove la politica si intreccerà con il sangue, la fatica con il tradimento, l’amicizia con il sudore.
Non so quanto sia accurato a livello storico, non sono in grado di giudicare se quanto descritto sia vero o meno; per le mie scarne conoscenze sembra più che reale. Soprattutto i combattimenti sono perfettamente descritti e validi, nel loro complesso. Affascinanti nel loro essere cruenti, mi hanno trasportata con agilità attraverso le pagine, volando come gladi affilati.
Come dicevo, manca completamente una storia d’amore, rimpiazzata da quella che diventerà una bella amicizia, seppur sofferta e per nulla lineare, perché quando c’è di mezzo la propria vita, le scelte non sono per nulla facili.
Consigliato a chi ha voglia di cambiare genere e di leggere di combattimenti all’ultimo sangue, a chi ama la potenza di Roma e le sue contraddizioni, perché se da un lato abbiamo portato civiltà, dall’altro il sangue dei suoi nemici o presunti tali è stato il tributo pagato.
Garbato e attento, Simon Scarrow non ha nulla da invidiare agli scrittori storici più famosi!
November 27, 2022
Трябваше да видя конкуренцията-хах.
Не, сериозно доста е трудно да се намери книга за гладиатори, която да няма минимум един Спартак и някой сърцераздирателен робски бунт. А самата книга доста трудно ми беше донесена първо ми я бяха сбъркали за нещо за Атина(доста обидно бих казала)
Тук се е получило чудесно: римският аристократ е разиграван от освободени роби в римската жестокост на дуелите до смърт. Иронията се получила, но с това спират приликите с това, на което аз се бях посветила да опиша жена, която се бие без да е принудена...(пък и аз пиша лигаво пиша за чувства, не само за бой)
Павон е принуден и изнудван и се е получило като хубав екшън филм, почти никакъв сюжет главно действие, героите са също така двуизмерни Павон е толкова остроумен(Павиан? хах) че вместо да мрази императора наредил смъртта на баща му намразва гладиатора/палача, който просто извършва присъдата, но така е угодно за повествованието. изобщо всичките"интриги" бяха доста нелогични и смешни само и само да има някакви битки на арената, но пак радва като девесетарски екшън.
Все пак исторически книгата е проучена добре, нямаше информация, с която аз самата не се бях сдобила като изключим някои неща мускули не растат без почти никакви протеини и въглехидрати, героите се лекуваха по бързо от Джеки Чан и Скалата, а намекът, че два меча бият ме и щит(даже Мусаши го оборва) е малко дразнеща. Главният герой беше или ужасно гледен или ужасно му се гадеше, искаше да спаси сина си, но нямаше нито една сцена за майка му. за спомени за детето(няма нито е на жена в повествованието и по-добре щеше да бъде проститутка), може би ако в началото бяха ползвали познатата формула отвличам близък твой син/жена/учител и те изнудвам щеше да е по-интересно но авторите някак бягат от тази изтъркана, но пък работеща фабула.
Все пак е нещо различно към тази тема и си заслужава.
Не, сериозно доста е трудно да се намери книга за гладиатори, която да няма минимум един Спартак и някой сърцераздирателен робски бунт. А самата книга доста трудно ми беше донесена първо ми я бяха сбъркали за нещо за Атина(доста обидно бих казала)
Тук се е получило чудесно: римският аристократ е разиграван от освободени роби в римската жестокост на дуелите до смърт. Иронията се получила, но с това спират приликите с това, на което аз се бях посветила да опиша жена, която се бие без да е принудена...(пък и аз пиша лигаво пиша за чувства, не само за бой)
Павон е принуден и изнудван и се е получило като хубав екшън филм, почти никакъв сюжет главно действие, героите са също така двуизмерни Павон е толкова остроумен(Павиан? хах) че вместо да мрази императора наредил смъртта на баща му намразва гладиатора/палача, който просто извършва присъдата, но така е угодно за повествованието. изобщо всичките"интриги" бяха доста нелогични и смешни само и само да има някакви битки на арената, но пак радва като девесетарски екшън.
Все пак исторически книгата е проучена добре, нямаше информация, с която аз самата не се бях сдобила като изключим някои неща мускули не растат без почти никакви протеини и въглехидрати, героите се лекуваха по бързо от Джеки Чан и Скалата, а намекът, че два меча бият ме и щит(даже Мусаши го оборва) е малко дразнеща. Главният герой беше или ужасно гледен или ужасно му се гадеше, искаше да спаси сина си, но нямаше нито една сцена за майка му. за спомени за детето(няма нито е на жена в повествованието и по-добре щеше да бъде проститутка), може би ако в началото бяха ползвали познатата формула отвличам близък твой син/жена/учител и те изнудвам щеше да е по-интересно но авторите някак бягат от тази изтъркана, но пък работеща фабула.
Все пак е нещо различно към тази тема и си заслужава.
November 12, 2025
Елементарна както като език, така и като сюжет книжица, която може да допадне на тийнейджъри.
Честно казано, преводачът май е по-добър писател от автора и това що-годе спасява българското издание.
Честно казано, преводачът май е по-добър писател от автора и това що-годе спасява българското издание.
March 17, 2019
When I read this book I didn't know it was comprised of a series of short stories strung together. I did think that the story seemed cyclical but I was enjoying it so much it didn't matter. Boys own lusty blood and gore is what you get again and again with not a single action stalling female in sight. Also no women amazons beating men in unrealistic fights for the sake of political correctness. Real and gritty and the way it was ( or as near as anyone can tell). Good stuff.
I particularly enjoyed the character of Macro a roman optio (NCO) styled on a British army sergeant. It worked well and was often hilarious.
A breath of fresh air.
I particularly enjoyed the character of Macro a roman optio (NCO) styled on a British army sergeant. It worked well and was often hilarious.
A breath of fresh air.
August 20, 2017
Para empezar no voy a ser objetiva, leo cualquier cosa que este autor escriba acerca de uno de mis romanos preferidos, el gran legionario Macro. Teniendo eso en cuenta me ha gustado mucho si bien en algún punto se hace pesado y estás deseando ya que llegue el combate final. Eso sí, sangre hay toda la que queráis y más así que si sois sensibles a eso no leais el libro. Si queréis aprender algo de la broma de la época de Claudio de una forma entretenida podéis empezar por aquí.
August 22, 2022
Per tutto il tempo della lettura ti fa viaggiare nell' antica Roma trasportandoti e facendoti vivere in prima persona la vita dei gladiatori
July 4, 2024
Excellent read. Focussed on a time before the eagle series. Enjoyed it as I do with all scarrow books but slightly less than I have with the eagle series.
February 5, 2023
Can I give it six stars?? Loved this book
October 10, 2015
Seriously obnoxious. Main characters whined over and over about the same thing. There was no character or plot progression throughout the entire book. Protagonist fights some person/thing in the arena hoping to escape his situation and (surprise surprise) doesn't. Then he get roped into another scheme with the promise of freedom, whines about it, wins, and doesn't get what he was promised. Not worth the time.
September 13, 2024
What a joy to catch up with Macro without Cato in this single volume version of a series of novellas. Plain and straightforward action and adventure all the way with plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested. The usual accurate historical context makes for a cracking story and brings my journey bang up to date.
December 4, 2013
I was not a fan of this book at all. The Roman era is one of my favorites but this book was 100% predictable. Every twist was very telegraphed and if it wasn't for the gruesome fight scenes I could have sworn it was a children's book.
January 26, 2014
A prequel to the Macro/Cato stories, but not as good. Betrays its origins as a series of e-novellas stitched together
March 16, 2016
I'm happy I've finished it, because it is ... so boring.
October 23, 2017
Jobs in history that I would not want; chimney sweep, Victorian latrine cleaner, gladiator. I suppose that the advantage of chimney sweep and latrine cleaner over gladiator is that at least they kill you slowly. Once you become a gladiator your life is a short one, painful and unfair. Only the lucky few will go onto retire and become free men. The vast majority are like Pavo, a man sent to the arena for a reason. That reason is to be killed.
When Pavo’s father decided to lead a failed revolt on Rome he not only forfeited his own life, but that of his family. His son Pavo was once an up and coming soldier, but now he is nothing but a lowly gladiator sent into the arena with the instruction to be killed within the year. However, the Gods have strange plans for men and Pavo finds himself an unlikely saviour of the new Caesar as he must stand against a particularly fearsome British Warlord who remains embarrassing unbeaten in the ring. Shanghaied to aid Pavo is a grizzled war hero Marco. All he wants is his reward and to be sent back to the front line as a Centurion, but there are other plans in mind for both Pavo and Marco.
‘Arena’ by Simon Scarrow and T J Andrews is another cobbled together book by the pairing that takes five e-novellas and combines them. This outing features a younger version of Marco that gives fans of Scarrow a touchstone to his other work. However, even with the added benefit of one of best characters in Roman Historic fiction, this book suffers from its original formatting.
Things start off well. The initial storyline of Pavo having to fight in the ring against a British Warlord is edgy and builds to a nice finale. There is also hints of a larger motive for Pavo as he seeks to kill the gladiator that slayed his father. However, as you pass the first section you start to notice that the book is being delivered piecemeal. The original five stories all have a mini beginning, middle and end. The book keeps rising and falling, more like a computer game were you fight a series of mini bosses along the way before fighting the end boss.
The individual combats are grisly and well written if you like your history gory and this collection is certainly better than ‘Invader’ their other novella collection. However, the reasons why Marco cannot leave the book become increasingly contrived as things move along. I would have assumed after being treated so badly throughout that Marco would have eventually snapped and just waited until a quiet moment to kill his tormentors. Instead, he is crowbarred into all five novellas, when he should have left Pavo to it.
There is still plenty of entertainment to be had in ‘Arena’ as the action comes thick and fast. It would have been a more rounded experience had the five stories been edited more to feel more like one narrative. However, for fans of Scarrow looking for another quick fix from the author, this book does the job, just not brilliantly.
When Pavo’s father decided to lead a failed revolt on Rome he not only forfeited his own life, but that of his family. His son Pavo was once an up and coming soldier, but now he is nothing but a lowly gladiator sent into the arena with the instruction to be killed within the year. However, the Gods have strange plans for men and Pavo finds himself an unlikely saviour of the new Caesar as he must stand against a particularly fearsome British Warlord who remains embarrassing unbeaten in the ring. Shanghaied to aid Pavo is a grizzled war hero Marco. All he wants is his reward and to be sent back to the front line as a Centurion, but there are other plans in mind for both Pavo and Marco.
‘Arena’ by Simon Scarrow and T J Andrews is another cobbled together book by the pairing that takes five e-novellas and combines them. This outing features a younger version of Marco that gives fans of Scarrow a touchstone to his other work. However, even with the added benefit of one of best characters in Roman Historic fiction, this book suffers from its original formatting.
Things start off well. The initial storyline of Pavo having to fight in the ring against a British Warlord is edgy and builds to a nice finale. There is also hints of a larger motive for Pavo as he seeks to kill the gladiator that slayed his father. However, as you pass the first section you start to notice that the book is being delivered piecemeal. The original five stories all have a mini beginning, middle and end. The book keeps rising and falling, more like a computer game were you fight a series of mini bosses along the way before fighting the end boss.
The individual combats are grisly and well written if you like your history gory and this collection is certainly better than ‘Invader’ their other novella collection. However, the reasons why Marco cannot leave the book become increasingly contrived as things move along. I would have assumed after being treated so badly throughout that Marco would have eventually snapped and just waited until a quiet moment to kill his tormentors. Instead, he is crowbarred into all five novellas, when he should have left Pavo to it.
There is still plenty of entertainment to be had in ‘Arena’ as the action comes thick and fast. It would have been a more rounded experience had the five stories been edited more to feel more like one narrative. However, for fans of Scarrow looking for another quick fix from the author, this book does the job, just not brilliantly.
December 4, 2019
At some moment while reading this book, I noted the label "Youth" on the back cover. I suppose that accounts for the simplistic nature of the story, but it ought not to. Youth readers should be given fully-developed characters, realistic action, and credible plot just as much as older readers.
I normally like Scarrow's novels, but this one I did not, for the shortcomings noted above.
The villains were one-dimensional, or maybe even zero-dimensional. The primary protagonist, Pavo, was apparently an ancestor of Wolverine; he had amazing powers of recovery after getting banged up and cut up. The dialogue consisted of an unending stream of insults (which caused Pavo to become enraged whenever they happened). The motivation was often hard to see, such as the threat hanging over the head of the other protagonist, Macro. I really found myself being more and more annoyed by the book the further I read.
Read the other books by Scarrow instead. They are much better than this one.
I normally like Scarrow's novels, but this one I did not, for the shortcomings noted above.
The villains were one-dimensional, or maybe even zero-dimensional. The primary protagonist, Pavo, was apparently an ancestor of Wolverine; he had amazing powers of recovery after getting banged up and cut up. The dialogue consisted of an unending stream of insults (which caused Pavo to become enraged whenever they happened). The motivation was often hard to see, such as the threat hanging over the head of the other protagonist, Macro. I really found myself being more and more annoyed by the book the further I read.
Read the other books by Scarrow instead. They are much better than this one.
June 30, 2025
I loved the Under the Eagle series, read most of it twice actually, and it was nice to see Macro again in this serialization. After a few pages I did start to find myself interested a bit, but I wasn't able to finish this. The character of Pavo was just too immature and too much a caricature for me to get over. He simply didn't ring true as a former Tribune of the Fifth legion and had the emotional range and thought processes of a surly 14 year old. For some reason as soon as the Under the Eagle series got the characters back to Rome after 15 or so books I didn't enjoy the storyline any more nor the setting. Too much plotting and backstabbing, which can be riveting in the right hands, but I think Scarrow does the frontier/tip of the spear setting of the legions much better. At least I enjoyed that a lot more. I DNF this at about 25%.
February 18, 2020
I really enjoyed this slice of life from Imperial Rome. Originally an e book in five sections, this is the novel published complete.
Famous from the Eagle series, Macro is in Rome to be awarded a military honour but becomes involved in the machinations of the Greek freedmen supporting the new Emperor Claudius. He is forced to train Pavo, the son of a disgraced senator, who being forced to work within the world of the gladiators in a series of fights.
Scarrow and Andrews successfully recreate the world of the Roman gladiator and there is tension as we follow the fortunes of both Macro and Pavo as they are forced to participate in a variety of trials before they both escape - Pavo to a new life in the legions and Macro back to his legion on the Rhine.
Famous from the Eagle series, Macro is in Rome to be awarded a military honour but becomes involved in the machinations of the Greek freedmen supporting the new Emperor Claudius. He is forced to train Pavo, the son of a disgraced senator, who being forced to work within the world of the gladiators in a series of fights.
Scarrow and Andrews successfully recreate the world of the Roman gladiator and there is tension as we follow the fortunes of both Macro and Pavo as they are forced to participate in a variety of trials before they both escape - Pavo to a new life in the legions and Macro back to his legion on the Rhine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 29, 2020
A gripping, grueling novel of a young Roman attempting to avenge his Father's demise. This story was much more than just the events of the well studied Amphitheaters of Rome, but also of the torture and torment each individual of the ancient Roman civilization endured on the journey they called 'life'. Simon Scarrow perfectly executed the balance between building character relationships, and finishing them off within the harrowing walls of the Arena. Consistently, Scarrow built a connection between the reader and the main characters, while keeping you on your toes as to who may be next to stab another in the back. An epic read, one which left me nervously turning pages just to see who was next awaiting a gut-wrenching slaughter... or a heroic victory.
March 28, 2018
Disjointed, convoluted (unnecessarily so), repetitive and very basic, superficial characters, Macro appears as a "we gotta stick him here somehow" almost-cameo appearance, in what seems to be a poor effort to take in the gladiator fashion.
By far the worst of the lot - yes, story-wise, even worse than the one where Christians are mocked with nonsensical fictions.
It does so a good job of showing what must have been one of the dreariest jobs/punishments in the history of mankind and the fickle nature of the mob. As for the politics,
By far the worst of the lot - yes, story-wise, even worse than the one where Christians are mocked with nonsensical fictions.
It does so a good job of showing what must have been one of the dreariest jobs/punishments in the history of mankind and the fickle nature of the mob. As for the politics,
August 9, 2022
Scorre bene ma non è eccelso. Ci sono molte ripetizioni trattandosi di una saga composta da cinque racconti che si susseguono cronologicamente.
È la storia di un giovane Patrizio condannato alla gladiatura. La descrizione della vita nei ludus è molto dettagliata. Viene spiegato anche il senso sociale dei combattimenti intesi come armi di distrazione del popolo.
Il protagonista riiuscirà a riscattarsi grazie al suo coraggio.
È la storia di un giovane Patrizio condannato alla gladiatura. La descrizione della vita nei ludus è molto dettagliata. Viene spiegato anche il senso sociale dei combattimenti intesi come armi di distrazione del popolo.
Il protagonista riiuscirà a riscattarsi grazie al suo coraggio.
May 6, 2024
After reading 18 of the Cato and Macro novels, this 'collection' (originally published as a series of ebooks - and that shows from the lack of editing in this book) gets pretty repetitive; stabs to the groin, blows to the head/helmet, having a sword/shield knocked out of the hand. Pretty much every fight can be swapped with any other just by changing a few names. This felt a bit too much like all that's come before to really be able to enjoy it.
June 3, 2021
Not quite what I expect from Simon Scarrow. To be fair it might be that 5 short stories need better linking. Had I read them as originally published then the transition from one to another would have probably been unnoticed. It's just that there is little story between events that happen months apart.
Still, a good insight to the way gladiators were regarded and treated.
Still, a good insight to the way gladiators were regarded and treated.
May 2, 2022
Probably the best I can say is that it is Saturday matinee trivial - the main characters are far from the fearsome legionary figures of other Roman fictional history and the series of episodes are facile and childish.
May 22, 2022
It's rare I don't finish a book and historical novels are my thing but after forcing my way to 50%+ of this one I gave up. I couldn't care less about Parvo and Macro's adventures. Nowhere near the quality of Kristian, Manda Scott or Cornwell. I'm afraid my first and last Scarrow novel.
April 19, 2023
I love historical fiction and really enjoy stories around the Roman era. This introduces Macro who I know so well in the Eagle series. I enjoyed the story but it got a bit predictable as with every success came betrayal. Fun read and recommended for all Macro fans
November 28, 2023
Not up to Standard
This seems like a book written because an agent or contract required it. Every fight was the same. The plot was really contrived. It was pretty much a wasted read. Too bad. I loved a lot about this series of books, but it looks like it’s run its course.
This seems like a book written because an agent or contract required it. Every fight was the same. The plot was really contrived. It was pretty much a wasted read. Too bad. I loved a lot about this series of books, but it looks like it’s run its course.
April 18, 2025
An excellent story of Pavo fighting for his life through the arena, while navigating the equally dangerous and bloodthirsty politics of ancient Rome.
Optio Macro is dragged into a deadly power struggle in the court of Emperor Claudius.
It gives a relatively good job of showing life in ancient Rome.
Optio Macro is dragged into a deadly power struggle in the court of Emperor Claudius.
It gives a relatively good job of showing life in ancient Rome.
October 16, 2020
Scarrow obviously had more input in this one , far better storyline than Pirata , with one of his more famous characters involved in it.
October 10, 2021
A good yarn. Only Macro in this one. Although Cato is mentioned as a young slave. Macro trains Pavo as a gladiator and even ends up as one himself. Enjoyed it👍
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May 16, 2022Not for me...
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