Cruelty and civilization
Subtitle: the Roman games
By: Roland Auguet.
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 1994
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 222
Subjects: Games -- Rome.; Gladiators -- Rome.; Circus -- Rome.; Rome -- Social life and customs.
Description: "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."
Notes: Includes index.