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  1. What does it mean to be Roman? Some would say that it means living within the capital city of Rome itself, though the ancient civilians thought otherwise. To be Roman meant to hold your nation in the highest honour, valour, and glory. It is this way of thinking that brought not only the Roman Empire to the peak, but its people as well. As Rome expanded across the Mediterranean, their quality of life significantly improved. Romans were extremely proficient at conquering new lands and as a result, expanded the reach of their Empire. They quickly grew into what we now know as one of the greatest civilizations to have ever lived, totalling a lifespan of just over one thousand years. With the basic necessities met, Romans had enough time to enjoy the entertainment known as spectacles; and as such, the gladiator games were born. The gladiator games served not only as a strong political tool for those in power, but also as a source of entertainment for its people. Animals from across the Empire were brought in and showed the Roman people the vast and large domain of their nation.
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  3. Why were the Romans so persistent on displaying violence as entertainment? Were they savages, who lusted simply for blood? In fact, they were not. The Romans were extremely civilized with laws and other regulations, though that does not answer the question of why the gladiator games were so important to their society. The gladiator games, despite their violent nature, were received well by the masses and were used as a tool by political members. The spectacles gave the crowd a sense of nationalism, by seeing these feats performed right in front of them. It showed the citizens of the Roman Empire that they were the best, and most proficient at dominating the world. This was extremely important for political figures, and most importantly, Emperors, to appease the public. It was something the masses enjoyed and for kept their focus away from political matters by misdirecting it towards the games. With such a powerful tool politicians were able to further their own agenda and rise into power. This did not stray away from the fact that the gladiator games were violent, still: “Perhaps a partial explanation lies in the traditional and widespread acceptance of brutality in Roman society. Fathers were allowed to expose and kill their children. Husbands beat wives.” (Arena Events, pp. 249).
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