Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-10-18
ROMAN GLADIATORS AND AMI
PUGITTSTS
BY BISHOP w. A.

PUGlLISIS
A LII the chapters of human history unite
~ with one voice in declaring that in all
climes and all times as wealth increases
men decay
Habits Of indolent luxury and extreme
self-indulgence become widely prevalent.
Life becomes stated and stale, and con-
stantly calls for new and more powerful
stimulants to impart to it zest and interest
Satiated with all possible enjoyments, people
become obsessed with a mania for amuse-
ment. Spectacles and sports engage their
attention absorbingly, and more serious mat
tiers are despised and neglected. Every
added day requires more exciting sensations,
and the sports and diversions employed to
relieve the jaded faculties run rapidly to
sensual qualifications, and, at length to ex-
hibitions of startling cruelty.
Such was the case of the Roman COM
monwealth during the period of it's decline
and fall"
Chariot races, not u1like the horse races
of our day, excited the passions Of the
people to an alarming degree. Which of the
four parties designated by the colors worn
by the horses and drivers would win at
the next race, whether the red or the
green, the blue or the white, was the all
absorbing question which commanded the
intense attention of Rome for days in adj
vance. The Roman satirist Juvenal says,
"Does the green lose then is Rome struck
aghast after the defeat at Cannae."
Eventually the chariot races became too
LdLu0 u SdIISly Inc craving 1OF stronger
excitement, and the gladatorial contests
became universally popular. All classes from
the highest official of the state to the slaves
of the street, 1ocked, in multiplied thou
sands, to witness these bloody bouts.
The vile exhibitions began with a POM
pous parade of gladiatOrs in full armor.
Before the emperor they lowered their
death dealing weapons and cried, "Hail,
Imperator! We who are about to die salute
thee" The most horrible scenes followed.
Nearly naked and without armor, their
only weapons being a dagger and a trident,
each tried to throw a net over the head of
his antagonist in order to. deal him death
blow. While accounted a mere sport, a
gladtatOrial show became an arena in which
mortal wounds were inflicted daily, while
the people with insane delight gloated over
fallen and dying men.
Among the spectators were men and
women of all ranks-senatOrsN and knights,
women magnifcently attired and vestal vir-
gins in their sacred garb, common people
and cOuntry-folk, soldiers and slaves, farm
ers and tradesmen, mechanics and litera-
tours. In the amphitheater laughing, talk
ing, jesting, and lovemaking multitudes
fingered for hours upon hours, indulging
the horrible pleasure which these brutal ex-
hibitions afforded them.
If a gladiator fell alive into the hands of
his opponent, the men giving the heartless
entertainment left the decision of life or
death to the spectators. The vanquished
O0SS6u 1OI HIS lie ny uOIuIHS up d nuS6I.
If the onlOokers waved their handkerchiefs,
his life was spared but if they turned up
their thumbs, it was the signal for the
stroke which doomed him to death Women,
even girls Of tender years, often turned up
their thumbs and demanded his death to
give them "a new thrill a phrase now
current might have been used to express
their delight at the fatal ending of the fight.
The dare-deyils who despised death were
vociferously applauded, while the timorous
combatants, who begged for their lives, ex-
cited the indignation of the people who con-
sidered it an affront if gladiator would
not die cheerfully for their entertainment.
The people of our country are shocked by
the story of these brutal and brutalizing
combats. They are amazed that such ex-
hibitions were tolerated at the Roman
capitalize center of the wealth, fashion
and culture of the empire. But are not
many of them seeking similar diversions
which are daily drifting toward the same
cruel forms and murderous ends?
What means the mania for prize-fghting
which is spreading over our country like a
deadly epidemic?
Under the guise of boxing bouts" con-
Quoted for the amusement of the participants
and the entertainment of their friends and