Gladiatorial Combat as Alluring Spectacle

Abstract

It is common for modern commentators to express puzzlement at the Romans' ability to derive enjoyment from watching brutal arena spectacles, which, in their final form, included animal hunts, beast fights, public executions, and armed combat between trained professionals. Gladiatorial combats presented obvious hurdles for the participants and were conducted in accordance with established rules. The uncertainty of the outcome of gladiatorial combats was a major part of their allure. This is reflected in the facts that the skill level of individual gladiators was carefully graded based on the number of fights they had survived and that concerted efforts were made to match gladiators of similar skill levels. The most comprehensive psychological theory to explain the attraction of violent entertainment is that of “affective dispositions,” proposed by Dolf Zillmann and his various collaborators over the past three decades or so.

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