Great man Quote by Steven Saylor
““There were a great many other such tableaux. As Martial had predicted, bears featured prominently in most of them. A temple thief was made to reenact the role of the robber Laureolus, made famous by the ancient plays of Ennius and Naevius; he was nailed to a cross and then subjected to the attack of the bears. A freedman who had killed his former master was made to put on a Greek chlamys and go walking though a stage forest populated by cavorting satyrs and nymphs, like Orpheus lost in the woods; when one of the satyrs played a shrill tune on his pipes, the trees dispersed and the man was subject to an attack by bears. An arsonist was made to strap on wings in imitation of Daedalus, ascend a high platform, and then leap off; the wings actually carried him aloft for a short distance, a remarkable sight, until he plunged into an enclosure full of bears and was torn to pieces.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “Roma”, 2007
Ancient spectacles used brutal animal attacks and mythic reenactments to punish and entertain, reflecting societal fascination with violence.
In simple terms: Spectacles combined myth, punishment, and spectacle.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how entertainment can mask cruelty.
Themes
violence
mythology
spectacle
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
literary
historical
When to use this quote
- theatre productions
- historical reenactments
- media violence
Key Concepts
cultural ritual
public punishment
psychology of crowds
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do societies enjoy violent spectacles?
- How does myth shape punishment?
A Different Perspective
May not represent all Roman entertainment forms.
