Cruelty and civilization

"The great spectacles of ancient Rome were not merely casual entertainment, a matter of choice for the audience, like the modern theatre. Under the Empire, the games became a public opiate and gave the daily life of Rome its rhythm and lustre. From one year to the next, the Roman citizens lived in anticipation of the games; they provided excitement and helped the citizens forget the mediocrity of their own condition and their lack of political power."

First sentence: The gladiatorial combats first appeared in Rome long after the Circus games, in 264 B.C., as a funerary rite reserved to the aristocracy.

Year

1994

Language

English

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Group

Editions

7

Pages

246

ISBN

9780203389072

Data source: Wikidata