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Deadly Games

 

...Ancient Romans Loved Their Deadly Games

 

The ancient Romans were known for many things – their engineering marvels, road networks, and the establishment of Roman law. They were, however, also renowned for their war-like nature. After all, this allowed the Romans to build an empire in the first place. This appetite for violence not only manifested itself in Rome’s imperialist policy, but also in its fascination with gladiators and the empire’s most well-known sport – gladiatorial combats.

 

Roman emperors often sentenced serious criminals — who then became known as bestiarii — to fatal encounters with the beasts in the Colosseum — an ancient "death sentence". These were the lowest social class of participants in the games.

 

It was during Emperor Nero reign (54-68 AD) that large-scale state patronage of sports began. This resulted in the construction of large amphitheatres for various sports, in particular the violent fights of the gladiators. Before Nero, the rich people personally financed sports in the gymnasia constructed in their villas. The amphitheatres constructed by the government were large stadiums with racetracks. These amphitheatres also had chambers for wild animals and chapels where the players could pray. The amphitheatres were the epitome of ancient Roman sports.

 

The gladiator games lasted for nearly a thousand years but started in decline during the reign of Constantine the Great (306-337 AD), following the adoption of Christianity as a state church, although beast hunts (venationes) continued into the 6th century.

 

During the reign of Augustus circus games resulted in the death of 3,500 elephants.