Classical Studies 2300 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Venatio, National Roman Museum, Louvre
29 Sep 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
No reservations about the need to destroy hostile animals or criminals: no humane objections. Childish/ a moral weakness: supposed to be part of the roman character to be able to watch executions (getting sick shows you"re weak). Part of the roman character to watch ampthitheatrical spectacle. There was concern over the vices associated with gladiatorial combat: no ancient author ever objected to the cruelty (no one ever said this is really cruel we should stop ). No opposition to the games on humanitarian grounds. No call for the abolition of the games. Emperors had no power in this area not willing to stop the games for the people no matter how they personally felt about them because they know it is political suicide" (no one will vote for them): e. g. Marcus aurelias hated blood sports but refused to stop them.
