Contrast of Romes Gladiatorial Games Agressive Sports of Today
The Contrast of Rome's Gladiatorial GamesIn every society, some form of entertainment is present. From board games to athletic events to theatrical spectacles, people throughout time have sought ways to occupy their leisure time. In all of the ancient societies I have studied, none has enjoyed a form of entertainment as brutal as the gladiatorial games of ancient Rome. Gladiatorial games consisted of men fighting with spears and swords against each other until one of them killed the other. Games would be held all day with the main feature being the contests where trained fighters would fight to their deaths. Trained in gladiatorial schools, slaves and criminals made up most of the gladiators. Sometimes even free men lured by the possibility of rewards would volunteer for these games. Gladiators fought even when they were wounded, with spears sticking into their legs, while still holding up their shields trying to escape death.At other "Games," men would measure their strength against wild animals. The animals were driven into the coliseum through a tall doorway at one end, and the fighters came in from all aro
This practice, lasted for days, and went on for years. It seems that we are not so above the Romans after all! The Games were part of the Roman's entertainment program and therefore part of their culture. When the doors were thrown open, if any of the horses rushed out before the others, they were brought up by this rope until the whole were fairly even, then it was loosened from one side, and all poured into the course at once. The agility and speed are a necessity of the game, but it seems that a big part of it also can be the slashing and checking. Many people watch ice hockey not for the actual game, but simply for the bloody fights between players. Romans went to see the spectacle with their friends and neighbors and found a common interest in them. WWF wrestling could be thought of as violent entertainment. So serious were these fights that the weapons would be presented to the Emperor to test their sharpness. The Circus Maximus was the place for chariot-races and horse-races in Rome to take place. The visitors paid a fee to visit the Games in the amphitheater and therefore contributed to the wealth of some civilized individuals. Criminals of all ages and sexes were sent into the arena without weapons to confront animals who would tear them apart, assuring their ultimate death. The ones who participated readily were the men who tried to achieve popularity and success. They accomplished the Romans' need for entertainment since they were talked and discussed about very much.
Common topics in this essay:
Rome Gladiatorial,
Rome Tracks,
Games Roman's,
Aggressive Sports,
Circus Maximus,
gladiatorial games,
form entertainment,
barred doors,
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