What began as human sacrifice enacted during funeral rites for wealthy families in ancient Rome resulted in 700 years of violent bloody battles staged before thousands of cheering Roman citizens. Gladiators: The Brutal Truth examines how this "sport" was used as a tool of political power and seeks explanations for the popularity of this culture of cruelty and death during what we now consider to be a lofty and advanced civilization.

Tuesday, 1/17 from 9-10 p.m. ET

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