Step inside the roaring amphitheaters and boisterous circuses of ancient Rome. This course explores the lives of gladiators, actors, charioteers, and other entertainers - the superstars of the ancient Roman world - as well as the social and cultural forces that made them icons. Learn how power, propaganda, and performance intersected during the Empire's most popular public events. We'll investigate the literary and archaeological evidence for the spectacles themselves, the politics behind the games, and the myths that still shape modern pop culture as seen through Hollywood films. Students will gain a deeper understanding of Roman arena games and a sharper eye for historical accuracy on screen.