I am Spartapuss - Robin Price

Historically accurate and full of enchanting wordplay, this fanciful tale set in Rome in 36 AD follows the adventures of Spartapuss, via his diary entries, as the Feline Empire falls into the hands of Emperor Tiberius' tyrannical heir, Catligula. When someone scrawls a nasty poem about the royal felines on Spatopia's vomitorium walls during a visit to the spa from Catligula and his mother Mewlia, Spartapuss is held responsible. Fortune takes a wicked turn when he's thrown in jail and transferred to a gladiator training school. When the Emperor goes on an endless vacation, the foul Catligula takes control of the Empire and creates new laws. Now Spartapuss's only chance for freedom lies in his ability to defeat his opponents in the gladiator arena.