whole the Romans did not criticize their choice of entertainment, one philosopher, Seneca, did.
To exhibit the slaughter of eighteen elephants in the
Circus, pitting criminals against them in a mimic battle
[and] thought it a notable kind of spectacle to kill human
beings after a new fashion. Do they fight to the death?
That is not enough! Are they torn to pieces? That is not
Enough! Let them be crushed by animals of monstrous
Such entertainment was so popular that most military encampments had their own amphitheaters, and hundreds of others were built for the public around the Empire (Bok 19).
No people before or after were so centred around displays of mortal combat as did the Romans (Bok 15). The only difference between today's society and that of the one during the last two centuries B.C., other than the degree of violence, is the openness of debates (Bok 20). Our institutions allow for open discussion and debate that the Romans were unable to have (Bok 20). People during all periods of time have derived some sort of sensual, aesthetic and even at time erotic thrills from viewing violent act (Bok 28). It would be unfair to conclude that in today's society such spectators and consumers of media are guided by no other motive (Bok 28).
Though there has always been crime and violence never has there been such extreme acts, as the few which have been committed in the recent years. One very well known instance was the brutal death of James Bulger a British toddler. The movie Child's Play 3 was under debate when two ten-year old boys tormented and murdered the child (Bok 38). The Film was then criticized when Suzanne Capper was kidnapped, tortured and set on fire as the group of young acquaintances chanted: "I'm Chucky. Wanna play?" (Bok 38).
Another even more recent and closer incident was the Columbine massacre. There is a striking similarity between the US incident and the actions which were o...