Asterix the Gladiator

"Asterix the Gladiator" is the fourth Asterix comic in the series, first published in 1964. It's a fairly enjoyable story, and worth a read for Asterix fans. The Prefect of Gaul is heading back to Rome for some leave, and tradition says that he must bring back something for Caesar. He decides to bring a Gaul from Asterix's village, as their reputation suggests they might play well as gladiators at Circus Maximus. Cacofonix the bard is captured and taken away, and Asterix and Obelix head into Rome to get him back, sailing with Phoenicians, taking a Roman bath, and trying their own luck as gladiators. It's a bit subdued, the story, but it's still pretty interesting.

more humor from asterix and obelix... in this episode the duo try their hand at becoming gladiators....

As a child, I read all of the "classic" Asterix books in Swedish. As an adult living in the U.S., I am reading them again to my children, but this time in English. This is an old classic, and it is very entertaining.Asterix and Obelix live in small village in Gaul that Julius Caesar never succeeded to subdue. In this story, the village bard (whose musical talents are beyond frightening), is kidnapped, and sent to Rome as a gift to Julius Caesar. Even though the villagers rather not hear his voice again, they set out to rescue him. However, before he is home safe and sound, he will have his chance to perform (torture more accurately) for Julius Caesar and the citizens of Rome.I find that children the age 5-13 usually really enjoy these books, not just mine. These comic books are a great way to teach children ancient history. Naturally, the adult needs to help with the differentiation between fiction and history. From these books, my kids have learned about the Roman Empire, the ancient Greeks, the Vikings, the Goths, the Phoenicians, ancient Gaul, ancient Egypt, and the ancient Mediterranean world in general.

Asterix The Gladiator was first published in French in 1964 as "Astérix Gladiateur " and in English in 1969.Asterix and Obelix set out for Rome to rescue the Bard Cacofonix who has been captured by the Romans as a gift idea by Prefect Odius Asparagus for Julius Caesar.This will be their first visit to Rome , they meet the unscrupulous Phoenician merchant Economikrisis who will feature again in later Astrix albums and for the first time they run into the Pirates (to the Pirate's great cost) as they will time and time again!In order to find Cacofonix they become Gladiators and soon drive the slave driver Cauis Fatuous crazy . Cacofonix however is quite able to look after himself as his singing drives the Romans even crazier...As usual their mission is successfully accomplished to everyone's satisfaction (except Cauis Fatuous who gets his comeuppance).

This is the first Asterix book I have read. The names of the characters are a little weird, but it's still an extremely good book!Odious Asperagus, the Roman Prefect of Gaul, wants to give Julius Caesar a present. So he kidnaps Cacofonix, the Gaulish bard, to give to Caesar as a present! (Cacofonix is a really bad singer, too!) So, Asterix and Obleix go to rescue Cacofonix from the Romans. This book is really exciting, interesting, and funny. The pictures in this book are great. My favorite parts are when Obleix says his favorite saying, "These Romans are crazy!" Whenever Obleix smells wild boar, he just dashes for it! (It's his favorite food.)Me and my Dad are reading it together, even though I finished the whole book already! I think this book is just as super for kids as it is for grown-ups!