Blood Sports

Ancient bloodsports in Rome were both a sort of amusement and a warning against wrongdoings committed with violence. Executions, ritual killings, gladiatorial combat, venationes, and other brutal sports were popular during the Roman era to establish who was in charge. The greatest form of human delight was gory, terrible bloodshed.

Both upper-class and lower-class spectators observed the brutal killing of a man. In the case of the later, they believed they were deserving enough to integrate into the community they lived in, whilst the former saw it as a matter of power. It also contributed to Rome's establishment of law and order. Public executions were carried out to terrorize bystanders.

Furthermore, the ritual executions based on religious events were also carried out in front of a sizable crowd. As was already mentioned, gladiatorial combat strengthened both the people's and the emperor's trust in one another. A sort of entertainment that elevates the norm is venationes. Wild animals like wild boars, elephants, and other creatures were occasionally put into the arena alongside the gladiators to excite the crowd. It would produce a brutal and naturally aggressive image that could elicit a riot from the audience. Killings, blood baths, and heroic victories in blood sports would drive people insane.