Gladitorial Combat Essay, Research Paper
Kyle Keown
Mrs. Melony Jones
World History 4th
2 November 2000
words
The culture of Ancient Rome had a distinct way to entertain its citizens. Besides spending times at the baths, Romans found pleasure and delight in the “games” held at the local coliseum. These games were among the bloodiest displays of public amusement in the history of man. Professional wrestling and boxing today, do not come close to the disgusting horrors that the people of Rome took so much pleasure in observing. Although the games were very bloody and extremely brutal, often killing many men and animals, the Romans enjoyed the scenery of life and death being very near. Watching men fight and eventually die a dreadful death, is what fascinated the Roman population in great degree as the games were one of their favorite ways to spend their leisure time. The ancient Romans had a very bloodthirsty taste for entertainment exhibited in the form of gladitorial combat.
The essence of the bloodthirsty entertainment was in the form of the gladiator. The word gladiator comes from the Latin for swordsman, from gladius or sword. The first gladiators were part of a sacrificial rite adopted from the Etruscans in 264, BC, nearly 500 years after the founding of Rome (Johnston 238). The sons of Junius Brutus first displayed gladiatorial combat when they honored their father at his funeral by matching three pairs of gladiators. Gladiatorial combat was originally part of a religious ceremony that was intended to insure that the dead would be accompanied to the “next world” by armed attendants and that the spirits of the dead would be appeased with his offering of blood (Johnston 286). Gladiators were generally condemned criminals, prisoners of war or slaves bought for this purpose. By the end of the empire, even free men volunteered to fight in hopes of receiving the great glory of a gladiator (Corbishley 44). The gladiators fought in various styles, depending on their background and training. Gladiatorial combat was so important to ancient Romans that they had gladiator schools to train men to be machines of slaughter for the scheduled entertainment (Johnston 287).
These trained machines fought in festivals held for ten to twelve day periods each year and often coincided with Saturnalia, a festival celebrating the god Saturn. Professional sign makers advertised with red lettered signs; heralds also proclaimed these spectacles. Programs were also available to aid in the inevitable betting. The fights were very brutal and gruesome. The most popular fights were against a heavily armed and shielded man against a fighter with only a net and a small dagger. Depending on the emperor of the day, you might see dwarfs fighting women, Amazons or even non-human opponents (Johnston 297).
Not only did people fight each other, but also bears, buffalo’s and other huge vicious animals. The gladiators would be forced to fight the wild beasts unarmed. In addition, many times the beast would be victorious. Beasts were also made to fight other beasts. One could watch bears fighting buffalos, buffaloes against elephants, elephants against rhinoceros. Even the ostriches that were brought in to amuse the spectators were not spared. After dashing around the arena, they were killed by arrows from archers who were located in the stands. Fights between men and tame beasts were also called to demonstrate man’s power over even the strongest of beasts. It is sad to note that the popularity of these spectacles led to the deaths of tens of thousands of animasl. Entire species were driven from extinction having been driven or captured from their natural habitat. Hippopotamuses were no longer seen in Egypt, elephants were not found in northern Africa and the population of lions disappeared from Assyria. This quest for bloodthirsty entertainment, involving man and beast, was soon centralized to a Roman theater (Burrell 83).
As the popularity of these bloody events grew with both the common people and political leaders, there was a need for a venue of entertainment. The coliseum, or “Flavian ampitheater,” was erected around 80 AD during the ruling of Vespian and his son Titus. It was to be one of the greatest architectural masses ever built. The immense structure held more than 50,000 people (Burrell 80). The monumental size of this structure and its central location in the city speaks directly to the importance of this building and consequently this sport in the Roman Empire. Studies of Western civilizations show that where a society invests its money is where its priorities are. For almost four centuries, this bloody sport was entertainment for the masses.
It seems that these gladiatorial games cause was not just purely entertainment purposes. It promoted a certain want for blood that aided in the need and want for political warfare. People were stimulated by the pure victory of the human masses, and in what was a conspiracy of sorts, it ultimately influenced Romans in later wars and fighting. It taught the massed that bloodshed was normal, tolerated and even prosperous for the underclass. The ultimate accomplishment of bloodthirsty entertainment was political, psychological brain washing.
It has to be said that many Romans were cruel and bloodthirsty. They were like ignorant and brutal peasants who had suddenly become rich enough to give in to whatever beastly passion they liked. Nothing else can explain centuries of men being butchered for sheer amusement. The games were as popular as they were gruesome and caused great excitement and destruction. Civilized people created and promoted these events, and participated in them, because they provided great political and economical strength and unavoidable commotion.
Johnston, Mary. Roman Life. Chigago: Scott Foresman and Company, 1957.
Burrell, Roy. The Romans. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991.
Corbishley, Mike. Ancient Rome. New York: Facts On File, 1989
Другие работы по теме:
Lables Shown In GI Jane Essay Research
Paper The Labels Shown in GI Jane The movie GI Jane is about a test to see if women are capable of becoming part of combat units in the United States military. It is a test of the capabilities of a woman (played by Demi Moore) and to see if she can complete Navy SEAL training. This is designed to see if the US policy on women in combat units (Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, Marine Force Recon, etc.) is valid.
Miramar Air Station Essay Research Paper World
Miramar Air Station Essay, Research Paper World War II opened many American?s eyes to the possibility of invasion from another country; as was seen when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in the winter of 1941. Since that time, the reality of war has been a major contributing factor to the Californian lifestyle and how it views the military.
GI Jane Essay Research Paper GI JaneIn
GI Jane Essay, Research Paper GI Jane In today’s society, with affirmative action full out in most industries and businesses, and the equal rights movement having made great progress;
Goals Essay Essay Research Paper My life
Goals Essay Essay, Research Paper My life will be the challenge of attaining three goals to their fullest degree: to learn, to love and to live. Oh! To learn- I will make my mind a sponge, soaking up every fact it encounters. In school and out of school, my ears, eyes and heart will be open to learn new things, and gather new facts.
Oh Really Essay Research Paper Oh Reallyyou
Oh Really? Essay, Research Paper Oh Really, you think i am a lark, the dogs they run and bark, but when i say to them, shut up shut up shut up, you say to be nice to them,
Roxanne Essay Research Paper 1801Period 4 ROXANNE
Roxanne Essay, Research Paper 1/8/01 Period 4 ? ROXANNE ? Apres j?ai vu les films, les trois gens que j?ai choisi dans le filme ?Roxanne ? etait Charlie, Chris, et Roxanne. Dans le film ?Cyrano de Bergerac, j?ai choisi Cyrano, Christchin, et Roxanne. Charlie et Cyrano sont tres similar. Ils ne sont pas tres beau parsque ils ont les tres grand nez.
Yo Mamma Essay Research Paper UITAS I
Yo Mamma Essay, Research Paper UITAS: I Know, but still I think that I wouldn’t really like the bigger clubs like excite or maybe it is excell where people are all rolling and crap…I don’t like crowds, so.
American Dream Essay Research Paper Every morning
American Dream Essay, Research Paper Every morning Joel Hardy was awoken by his alarm at precisely seven thirty-five. He would have a shower in the master bathroom on the third floor of his home. He would
Alzheimers Essay Research Paper Alzheimer
Alzheimers Essay, Research Paper Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive and irreversible brain disease that destroys mental and physical functioning
Ap English Essay Part 2 Question Essay
, Research Paper Kyle Newby October 22, 2000 AP English Emma essay A tale of an illegitimate child cast in the path of a rich and well to do socialite. How would their paths cross? What are they like, how do they act, and how are they characterized? Many times in literature authors use characters in their stories to characterize and evaluate other characters in the same story.
Amazon Essay Research Paper Amazon By Ellen
Amazon Essay, Research Paper Amazon By Ellen Chen Introduction This guide was written exclusively for Bowazons – all the tactics and advice are written for Bowazons and can be ignored by Pikezons and Javazons. It includes advice on both PvM and PvP combat as, although killing monsters is the primary objective of Diablo II, PKers do exist, and other players should always be ready to defend themselves against attacks by hostile players.
Patton Papers Essay Research Paper The Patton
Patton Papers Essay, Research Paper The Patton Papers” are invaluable for two reasons. They tell the story of one of our country’s most effective warriors. “The Patton Papers” stand along with Douglas Southall Freeman or Lee and Chandler on Napoleon as a thorough treatment of a soldier’s life and thought processes, written by an accomplished combat historian.
Atomic Bomb Controversy Essay Research Paper The
Atomic Bomb Controversy Essay, Research Paper The Atomic Bomb Controversy August 6, 1945- the atomic bomb was first used in combat as it was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. The raw explosive power of the weapon was displayed. Within a few days, another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. The atomic bomb was one of the most destructive weapons of war ever used in combat.
Women In War Essay Research Paper Women
Women In War Essay, Research Paper Women in War and How They Made a Difference Women who served in past wars were considered heroines, and were presented with many different, honorable awards. Women served many purposes during the war. Such as: nurses who amputated and helped soldiers, translators who spoke for the French, telephone operators who connected important phone calls to different places, and many more non-combat roles.
Speech Essay Research Paper There are two
Speech Essay, Research Paper There are two opposite points of view to this problem. One side suggests not to place any cods on speech on campuses of college institutions and another side strongly believes that speech must be protected by law. Mrs. Jennifer Kelley is following position of free speech in the article called Speech Codes Should Not Be Permitted on Campuses.
The Middle Ages Essay Research Paper During
The Middle Ages Essay, Research Paper During the English middle ages law often took on the form of an ordeal. An ordeal is a method of trial in which the accused was given a physical test that could only be met successfully if he or she was “innocent”
Kyle Swanson Essay Research Paper English 99
Kyle Swanson Essay, Research Paper English 99 1/1/99 New York I know of a interesting place where people flock to in hope of success. I on the other hand have been to this place twice as a tourist. People call
ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF BLACKSOLDIERS IN
THE CIVIL WAR Essay, Research Paper During the Civil War many blacks chose to fight for the Federal Army against the Confederacy. Black soldiers were discriminated against and at first restricted from combat. Later in the war the colored regiments saw some of the most extensive combat of the war. Thousands of blacks volunteered to fight to free their people from the horrors of slavery.
Theodore Roosevelt And The Rough Riders Essay
, Research Paper Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders Theodore Roosevelt was not much of a military man but the United States did everything with him that they could. After volunteering for duty, he was sent to help command the First United States Volunteer Calvary. Theodore was then under the command of the regimental commander Colonel Leonard Wood.
How Are Automatic Stabilizers Used To Combat
Inflation Essay, Research Paper How are Automatic Stabilizers Used to Combat Inflation? In today?s economy, there are devices present called automatic stabilizers. Automatic stabilizers, are mechanisms which aid in the correction of an economic problem without the interference of anyone or anything.
Racing Heroes Essay Research Paper Car racing
Racing Heroes Essay, Research Paper Car racing has gone through many changes since its start in 1947. Race cars were not equipped with safety features such as roolbars, cages and safety belts. When accidents occurred drivers were seriouly injured or died. Through the years, steps have been taken to prevent major injuries.
Falseness In Death Of A Salesman Essay
, Research Paper Death of a Salesman by Kyle Pearce All throughout Arthur Miller s play Death of a Salesman, tension and falseness has been displayed by each of the characters but near the end of Act 1, it has become more evident than ever. The family, awoken by Willy in the middle of the night, gathered in the kitchen for their first confrontation.
Women In Combat Essay Research Paper A
Women In Combat Essay, Research Paper A General FrameworkWhen I think about women in combat, I think about the days of the Revolutionary War, women helping their husbands to load cannons or I think about the army nurses who played vital roles overseas during the Vietnam conflict. I also think about women helicopter pilots providing air support to our soldiers and sailors during Operation Desert Storm.
The Relationship Between Combat Journalist And Vie
Essay, Research Paper The combat jounalist in Vietnam gave Americans at home a different look, an honest look at the Vietnam experience. Though combat soldiers were often hesitant toward taking a civilian around, they became much more open and truthful as time went on. Their information from the grunts and observations in choppers and in field gave Americans a new respect for what was happening abroad.
Kyle Essay Research Paper One day when
Kyle Essay, Research Paper One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, “Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.” I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
Women In Combat Essay Research Paper The
Women In Combat Essay, Research Paper The idea of women in combat is not unusual anymore. They should be able to hold combat positions beacause although physical