Here’s some behind the scenes of my research for Lion of Zarall and how I blended historical inspiration with my own imagination.

While the gladiators in my book aren’t set in a Roman era, they’re definitely inspired by historical gladiators. I took the essence of what made those warriors fascinating but gave it my own twist to fit the world of Lion of Zarall.

The Retiarius

One of my biggest inspirations came from the retiarius, one of the most iconic gladiator classes in ancient Rome. If you’re unfamiliar, the retiarius was known for fighting with a trident and a net, which immediately sets them apart from the typical sword-and-shield image most people have when thinking of gladiators. They were lightly armored, often only wearing a shoulder guard (manica) and little else, relying on their agility and strategy to win battles. Their fights were more about outmaneuvering their opponents than brute strength, and that fascinated me.

While Lion, my main character, isn’t exactly a retiarius (and he definitely wears more armour) I drew a lot of inspiration from this class when developing his training and skills. In Lion of Zarall, because Lion is a purebred, he’s trained in multiple weapons and fighting styles, and that’s where I took creative liberty. I loved the idea of a gladiator using a trident and net—it feels so unconventional and strategic. Even though Lion isn’t strictly a retiarius, that fighting style became a key influence.

Gladiator Schools

A lot of people think of gladiators as throwaway slaves sent to die in the arena for entertainment, but the reality was much more complex. In ancient Rome, gladiators—particularly those who were trained professionals—were actually housed, fed, and given quality care. They were a valuable asset – investments – to their owners, which meant they were often treated better than the average slave. They lived in ludus, or gladiator schools, where they were trained rigorously in different combat techniques. These schools were more than just a place for training—they were where gladiators honed their skills, learned discipline, and became entertainers who drew massive crowds.

In my book, there are no gladiator schools, but gladiators (or beasts as they are called in Lion of Zarall) are treated like professional athletes. They’re extremely valuable, especially Lion, being the King’s undefeated beast. He’s housed well, he trains with the best trainers in the country, he eats a carefully prepared diet, he works out, he receives excellent medical care, he even gets bodyguards when he goes in public (despite being perfectly capable of defending himself).

And unlike genuine Roman gladiators, who were typically specialized in one class (like the retiarius or murmillo), the beasts in my story are fluid in their fighting styles and trained to use various weapons and strategies. They are also heavily armored, a key difference from the lightly armored gladiators in ancient Rome.

Researching the world of gladiators has been one of the most rewarding parts of writing Lion of Zarall. It allowed me to combine my fascination with history with my love for creating complex, morally ambiguous characters. From the influence of the retiarius to the idea of well-trained, well-cared-for fighters, this research shaped the entire tone of the book.

I hope that by sharing this behind-the-scenes look, you can see how real history and creative imagination can blend to form something entirely new. If you find this interesting, don’t forget to preorder Lion of Zarall.