About this episode
Get early episodes & bonus perks on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorian Ever wondered what it was really like to be a gladiator in Ancient Rome? Forget the Hollywood heroics. This is the real story — the brutal, blood-soaked, bone-cracking reality of life (and death) in the arena. In this immersive sleep video, you’ll step into the sandals of a doomed fighter: sold into slavery, broken by training, dressed up like a mascot, and sent out to die beautifully for the amusement of thousands. Narrated in a slow, dry, darkly funny tone designed to help you fall asleep while accidentally learning something horrifying, this isn’t a tale of glory — it’s a slow-motion nightmare disguised as history. From the stink of the ludus to the roar of the Colosseum, from the pain of catgut stitches to the hollow promise of the rudis, you'll experience the full cycle of a gladiator’s life… right up to the moment Rome forgets you. 🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep Tools Looking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend: • Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/4pVFoJy • Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f • Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE • Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn • Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu • White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTw These are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy.