My favorite scene in Gladiator is when hunky Russell Crowe says, "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of the North, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next." Oooh ... makes me want to be a gladiator––minus the heavy armor, man-eating lions, and constant abuse. Okay, so I just want the sandals, though I'd need to be a Roman general myself to justify spending this much on a fashion fad ... however sexy they may be.

The flat gladiator sandal has been on and off the shoe shelves for the past few summers and I was never a fan. I have flat feet, and flat wide sandals do me no favors. I need a little lift in a shoe. This gladiator-inspired wedge heel by Ralph Lauren is more flattering, though not as functional of course when it comes to 9–5 gladiator duties. Still, like a gladiator, I am a slave (to fashion) and at least the wedge keeps me looking sophisticated. "Maximus! Maximus!"

This pair of sturdy gladiator heels from Nine West is hands down (or feet up) my very favorite. I want them for all my spring and summer outfits and could actually hold my own in these, maybe even command armies in these––exactly how you want to feel when you strap on a pair of heels, eh? It's so nice when the cheapest option is also the most practical option. And so bloody lovely when the cheapest most army-commanding pair are also really cute.