THE LUST FOR BLOOD

Christiane Gigas, Foothill College:  "The Oscar or the Emmy  Awards of Roman Times"

As any other culture, ancient Rome had its distinct way to entertain its citizens. Besides spending time at the Baths, Romans found pleasure and delight in the "Games" held at the local colosseum. Not only was this a way for the Romans to be entertained but to interact socially. Although the Games were extremely bloody and very 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 must have fascinated the Roman population to a great degree since the Games were one of their favorite ways to spend their leasure time.

Romans derived the greatest thrill from the "Games."  It consisted of men fighting with spears and swords against each other until one of them killed the other. These men were called 'Gladiators'. The shows took place in amphitheaters, half circle and open to the sky. 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 colosseum through a tall doorway at one end, and the fighters came in from all around the floor. Then the excitement began for Roman citizens who sat safely in their seats.

If we take a closer look at the Romans' behavior, we see that they derived pleasure from watching others die a painful death. Is that human nature or can we ascribe this only to the Romans at that particular time? I think whenever a person is not physically in touch with a life-threatening situation, it may be amusement for him or her. That is due to the fact that some people are simply sensationalists and find it amusing to see others fight for their lives or be in dangerous circumstances. As soon as we put the same people in the colosseum with wild animals, I am sure their perception of pleasure in these acts would vanish rather quickly! How can anyone derive joy from a bloody and frightful scenery and describe this as entertainment? There must have been fascinating aspects in the encounter of man and animal for the Romans. The "Games" were visited frequently and with much delight which gave them great social and political importance.

What did they cause and what did they accomplish?

Trained gladiators held the status of movie stars in today's society. They accomplished the Romanns' need for entertainment since they were talked and discussed about very much. Romans went to see the spectacle with their friends and neighbors and found a common interest in them. In addition we must know that warfare was an important factor in the Roman culture. I can imagine that the Roman population might have lost its aggressions by watching men fight and kill each other. Although being war-like, the goal being to achieve victory, the Games represented amusements and comforts within the daily life of the Roman population.

I think the Games caused the morals to shift from appreciating life to deriving pleasure from watching men fight for it. Death was used to be entertained basically on the costs of slaves, trained gladiators, and criminals. The Romans used inferior lives for their amusement and pleasure while they had nothing to fear in their seats in the Colosseum.

Why did civilized people of that time either created and promoted these events, or participated readily?

The Games were part of the Roman's entertainment program and therefore part of their culture. Although bloody and perhaps not fitting in our moral standards of today, they represented a great deal of Roman culture and habits at that time. The people who created and promoted these events benefited from them financially. The visitors paid a fee to visit the Games in the amphitheater and therefore contributed to the wealth of some civilized individuals. The ones who participated readily were the men who tried to achieve popularity and success within the community. Their trying brought them death in many instances.

What would you have been doing?

In a time like this, I am sure I would have supported the Games as many others did. It seems that with human nature, we need some sort of entertainment included in our daily lives. The Colosseum was a place to socialize, make friends, chat with neighbors about something they have in common: the interest in the Games. I am not a fan of bullfights at all, however, I must say that this time is different from the Roman Empire. As we go to the movies today, Romans went to the Colosseum to watch a Game. It is all connected to the morals and ethics of that time which were positively towards the Games. In addition, it appears to me that as soon as something bloody, perhaps sensational happens, people seem to find together and form a unity.

I think some cultures (maybe all of them, but that would be another question) have a notion for bloody entertainment (for instance bul fights in Spain and "Real Life TV" in the US) that indicates the morals and ethics of the people who support it.

March 1998, By Dr. K. Feig

LUST FOR BLOOD