Asterix the Gladiator
Encyclopedia
Asterix the Gladiator is the fourth volume of the Asterix
comic book series, by René Goscinny
(stories) and Albert Uderzo
(illustrations). It was first serialized in the magazine Pilote
, issues 126-168, in 1962.
Odius Asparagus wants one of the indomitable Gauls as a present for Julius Caesar
, so his men capture Cacofonix the bard
. By the time the other Gauls know he is gone, he is on his way to Rome
. But Asterix and Obelix
are hot on his heels, taking ship with Ekonomikrisis the Phoenicia
n merchant.
Highly unimpressed by his present, Caesar
decides to throw the bard to the lions. Asterix and Obelix enlist as gladiator
s in order to rescue him, and, in the course of their training, teach their colleagues some interesting tricks. The next Games in Circus Maximus
turn out to be the most unusual yet...
This book is noteworthy in the Asterix series as the first in which Obelix says his famous catchphrase "These Romans Are Crazy"!
An audiobook of Asterix the Gladiator adapted by Anthea Bell
and narrated by Willie Rushton
was released on EMI Records
Listen for Pleasure label in 1988.
(This is one of the only banquets that is held in the day.)
for the animated movie Asterix Versus Caesar
.
Asterix
Asterix or The Adventures of Asterix is a series of French comic books written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo . The series first appeared in French in the magazine Pilote on October 29, 1959...
comic book series, by René Goscinny
René Goscinny
René Goscinny was a French comics editor and writer, who is best known for the comic book Astérix, which he created with illustrator Albert Uderzo, and for his work on the comic series Lucky Luke with Morris and Iznogoud with Jean Tabary.-Early life:Goscinny was born in Paris in 1926, to a family...
(stories) and Albert Uderzo
Albert Uderzo
Albert Uderzo is a French comic book artist, and scriptwriter. He is best known for his work on the Astérix series, but also drew other comics such as Oumpah-pah, also in collaboration with René Goscinny.-Early life:...
(illustrations). It was first serialized in the magazine Pilote
Pilote
thumb|Cover of the first Pilote teaser issue, #0.Pilote was a French comics periodical published from 1959 to 1989. Showcasing most of the major French or Belgian comics talents of its day the magazine introduced major series such as Astérix le Gaulois, Blueberry, Achille Talon, and Valérian et...
, issues 126-168, in 1962.
Plot summary
PrefectPrefect
Prefect is a magisterial title of varying definition....
Odius Asparagus wants one of the indomitable Gauls as a present for Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
, so his men capture Cacofonix the bard
Bard
In medieval Gaelic and British culture a bard was a professional poet, employed by a patron, such as a monarch or nobleman, to commemorate the patron's ancestors and to praise the patron's own activities.Originally a specific class of poet, contrasting with another class known as fili in Ireland...
. By the time the other Gauls know he is gone, he is on his way to Rome
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
. But Asterix and Obelix
Obelix
Obelix is a fictional character from the French comic book series Asterix. He works as a menhir sculptor and deliveryman, and is Asterix's best friend. Obelix is noted for his fatness, the menhirs he carries around on his back and his superhuman strength...
are hot on his heels, taking ship with Ekonomikrisis the Phoenicia
Phoenicia
Phoenicia , was an ancient civilization in Canaan which covered most of the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent. Several major Phoenician cities were built on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550...
n merchant.
Highly unimpressed by his present, Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
decides to throw the bard to the lions. Asterix and Obelix enlist as gladiator
Gladiator
A gladiator was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their legal and social standing and their lives by appearing in the...
s in order to rescue him, and, in the course of their training, teach their colleagues some interesting tricks. The next Games in Circus Maximus
Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium and mass entertainment venue located in Rome, Italy. Situated in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills, it was the first and largest stadium in ancient Rome and its later Empire...
turn out to be the most unusual yet...
This book is noteworthy in the Asterix series as the first in which Obelix says his famous catchphrase "These Romans Are Crazy"!
An audiobook of Asterix the Gladiator adapted by Anthea Bell
Anthea Bell
Anthea Bell OBE is a British translator who has translated numerous literary works, especially children's literature, from French, German, Danish and Polish to English...
and narrated by Willie Rushton
Willie Rushton
William George Rushton, commonly known as Willie Rushton was an English cartoonist, satirist, comedian, actor and performer who co-founded the Private Eye satirical magazine.- School and army :William George Rushton was born 18 August 1937 in the family home at Scarsdale Villas,...
was released on EMI Records
EMI Records
EMI Records is the flagship record label founded by the EMI company in 1972 and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia label. The EMI label was launched worldwide...
Listen for Pleasure label in 1988.
Characters
- Geriatrix (unnamed) - Obelix asks him to run his menhirMenhirA menhir is a large upright standing stone. Menhirs may be found singly as monoliths, or as part of a group of similar stones. Their size can vary considerably; but their shape is generally uneven and squared, often tapering towards the top...
delivery service while he is away. His feisty personality was not shown at this time, neither was the fact he is married. - Ekonomikrisis - Provides transport to and from Rome
- Brutus - Featuring an amusingly ironic exchange with Julius Caesar at the circus.
- The Pirates - parodying French comic "Barbe-Rouge" which was also serialized in Pilote at the time.
- Obelix' helmet game - for the first time he collects helmets from the Romans he bashes, trying to outdo Asterix (who never has much interest in it).
(This is one of the only banquets that is held in the day.)
Film adaptation
This story was blended with Asterix the LegionaryAsterix the Legionary
Asterix the Legionary is the tenth Asterix book in the Asterix comic book series by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. It was first published as a serial in Pilote magazine, issues 368-389, in 1966.-Synopsis:...
for the animated movie Asterix Versus Caesar
Asterix Versus Caesar
Asterix Versus Caesar is the first of the 1980s Asterix films and the fourth film adaption based on the Asterix comic books...
.