In conclusion, the construction and design elements regarding safety, space, visibility and outwardly impression were met effectively in respect that centuries later we are able to make the same journey the ancient Romans made, as the Colosseum still stands.
TMA03 Classical Studies ( Part 2)
Why were the games important to the Romans?
The games were not only a source of entertainment for the citizens of Rome, but for many, the chance to acquire fame, popularity, a reversal of lost fortunes and even freedom.
They were important at first because they were to celebrate the deaths of noblemen. However, this focus changed over time and the games were soon dedicated to the emperor as this religious ritual was turned into a free for all spectator sport offered by the very wealthy. In the Res Getae, Augustus claims to have hosted many shoes on behalf of himself and his family The citizens were given the right to attend feasts and free spectacles by popular public figures, important for, the purpose which was to gain approval for any proposals they were to make and divert their attention from more important concerns.
The games were so important to the Romans that they wanted to fund the games even after their deaths so established foundations in their wills. As the games became more popular the public became more demanding. C2 in resource book 1 offers an extract, Apuleis, “The ass in the arena”, that confirms this in his account of the audience demanding a soldier fetch a condemned woman. The audience became more involved in the shows and grew tired of the monotony, which influenced the growth of the games both in magnitude and splendour.
The games were primarily important because of what they offered those involved. Many people profited from the games, in particular those who hosted them. The games conveyed the habits of the upper class, for anyone who hosted the games it was a measure of their wealth as the expense was enormous. Though it was a necessary expense for anyone wishing to pursue a public career, as they had to acquire the vote of the Plebians. A new order of merchants and landowners gained fame and popularity because they were able to afford great expenses to stage the games, increasing their status and influence. C3, “Apuleis, The Robbers tale” writes about a host as a man ‘of high birth, great wealth and liberality’, confirming the status of many who hosted the games.
The hosts weren’t the only ones to profit from the games, the spectators were not only given free shoes, but it was an occasion where they could associate with emperors and noblemen, giving a sense of unity, one common interest that all classes of the social scale could enjoy freely. However, this was not the only incentive to the spectators, they were often offered free gifts and were refreshed with perfumes and petals. There was also the opportunity to win food, slaves and on a grander scale, ships or houses.
The games were also hugely important to those who fought, having the most to gain - their freedom. For Gladiators, the games were seen as proof of their courage and successful Gladiators were hugely popular with the crowds. Criminals sent into the arena had more to gain than popularity and proof of their courage, the games ironically not only threatened the condemned man’s life but was the only chance he had of saving it. Their only hope of salvation was if they were brave and victorious in the arena, in this case they were pardoned which was a popular decision with the spectators. However, the odds were against these ill-fated men as they were sent into the arena with very little, if any armour or weaponry. Many knew of the fate that awaited then and strangled each other in their cells to avoid public death in the arena. Which in comparison appears less barbaric than being thrown in the arena to be greeted by Gladiators trained to kill or being mauled to death by deliberately starved beasts.
Many free men took up fighting in the arena as a profession. It was frowned upon by others as these men renounced their freedom and made themselves no better than slaves, owned by the gladiator school, they had no rights at all. Despite the scorn from others, these men would renounce their freedom without restraint, the main motivation behind this was for the enrolment gratuity, though others joined purely for the passion of fighting and danger.
It can’t be assumed that the games were favoured by everyone, even in this time people argued over animal rights and the ethics of capital punishment. Cicero questions the measure of enjoyment the games can offer in C6 ‘Pompey’s shows’, “But what pleasure can it be to a man of refinement”. Also, in his philosophical discussion (C8) he argued that some people regarded battles as “cruel and inhuman” and Seneca in Letter 7 quotes the games as “sheer butchery”. So it is important, when answering to why the games were important to the Romans, that everyone didn’t acknowledge them favourably, though they are still important as they play a principal role in the history of Rome.
In conclusion, the games were not only important because of what they could offer people in respect of status and prestige, material benefits and freedom. The games were also important to Romans because of where they were held and what the Colosseum conveyed, a cultural symbol of the politics of ancient Rome. The Colosseum and the games were and still are a great inspiration for many architects, poets and artists, and no doubt will be the subject of many philosophical and historical debates to come.
