The Roman Games: Historical Sources in Translation

by Editor: Alison Futrell ( University of Arizona)

• ISBN13: 9781405153157
• ISBN10: 1405153156
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-02-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

This sourcebook presents a wealth of material relating to every aspect of Roman spectacles, especially gladiatorial combat and chariot racing. Draws on the words of eye-witnesses and participants, as well as depictions of the games in mosaics and other works of art. Offers snapshots of "a day at the games" and "the life of a gladiator". Includes numerous illustrations. Covers chariot-races, water pageants, naval battles and wild animal fights, as well as gladiatorial combat. Combines political, social, religious and archaeological perspectives. Facilitates an in-depth understanding of this important feature of ancient life.

Table of Contents

Illustrations

Preface

Acknowledgments

The Politics of the Arena

Origin and Growth of Games

Games and the Roman State

Origins of Gladiatorial Combat

Origins of Wild Animal Shows

Roman Spectacle Overseas

Spectacle and Roman Politics

Politics and Shows

Costs

Control

Violence

Shows as Political Assemblies

Imperial Spectacle

Ordinary Spectacle

The Emperor and the Arena

The Emperor as Spectator

Imperial Spectacle as Political Forum

Gladiators Outside Rome

The Venue

Republican Arenas

No Theaters Please

Temporary structures in Rome

Amphitheaters

Disaster and control

The Colosseum

Mixed edifices in the Western Empire

Military amphitheaters

Special Features

Circuses

Features of the Circus Maximus

Circus as Cosmos

Naumachiae

Stratification and Seating

A Day at the Games

Preparation and pompa

Venationes

Meridiani

Munera

The Armatures

The Combats

Good spectacles vs. Bad Spectacles

The Other Show: Audiences at the Games

Dangerous Games

Power of Life and Death

Special Treats

Food, Spectacular Food

Sparsiones

Inaugural Games at the Flavian Amphitheater

CommodusÆ Games

Tainted by the Crowd

The Life of the Gladiator

Where did gladiators come from?

Prisoners of War

Condemned Criminals

Slave gladiators and the Spartacan War

Gladiators and status

Free Gladiators

Choosing gladiatorial status

Glory

Life in the ludi

Death or Survival

Sexy Gladiators

Death and Choice

Gladiator familiae

Female performers: gladiatrices and ludia

Crimes of status: elites in the arena

Imperial gladiators

Christians and the Arena

Rome and the Christians: the official relationship

The Neronian Persecution

TrajanÆs Policy

Christian denunciation of the Arena

The arena and Christian identity

Martyr Acts

Christian Rome and the arena

Chariot Races and Water Shows

Chariot Races

The Events

Charioteers

The Horses

The Colors

Circus Fans

Emperors as Fans

Fan Clubs and Unrest

The Nika Revolt

Water Shows

Timeline of Roman History

Glossary of Terms and Names

Notes

Suggestions for Further Reading

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.