Gladiators and Brutality in Roman Society

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Arles Arena in present-day France

Gladiators and the arena were an important aspect of the Roman empire. Conceived as entertainment for the masses, gladiators engaged in everything from mock sea battles in flooded arenas, to recreation of important battles in Roman history, and even battles against imported wild animals for the crowds’ entertainment. Eventually, becoming a gladiator was a vehicle for fame and fortune as some gladiators began fighting as professionals (Cartwright). As crowds flocked to see their favorite gladiator fight in a new battle, the thirst for this brutal blood sport from many citizens became something that increasingly had to be satisfied. Some arenas, such as this one in Arles, France, still stand today, and from this photo we can see just how close the crowds were to the brutal action.

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Two gladiators engaged in battle

While these battles did not always result in death of those involved, some individuals were sent to the arena with the intention that their death would be a public display for the entertainment of the crowd, prisoners were often subject to this form of punishment. One other effect of these public executions outside of entertainment, perhaps intended by the leaders of Rome, was the brutal punishments acting as a sort of deterrent by way of showing Roman citizens the consequences of committing a crime against the empire (McManus). 

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Mosaic of Roman Gladiators in Battle

Roman Martyrs can be seen as an example of this. As they denounced the Pagan religion of Rome at the time, and worshipped a new style of religion, Christianity, often, these martyrs were sent to the arena to be publically executed in front of the crowd by way of gladiators or wild animals. This type of brutal punishment can be seen in the case of the famous martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas, who were sent to the arena to be killed for their unyielding faith and loyalty to Christianity, their final death blows dealt to them by a Roman Gladiator.

Sources:

Cartwright, Mark. "Gladiator". Ancient Histroy Encyclopedia. 06 November, 2012. retrieved from http://www.ancient.eu/gladiator/

McManus, Barbara F. "Arena: Gladiatorial Games". May, 2011. retrieved from http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/arena.html