Roman Beast Hunts

Abstract

While gladiatorial combats and chariot races are perhaps the spectacles most commonly associated with ancient Rome in modern perception, a third type of spectacle, the venatio (beast hunt), was also popular among Romans. The expansion of Roman territory and influence in the last three centuries of the Republic allowed editores (individuals who organized games) greater and more regular access to exotic animals. As the Roman Empire descended into crisis in the third century, rulers no longer possessed the necessary funds or infrastructure to procure as many animals as their predecessors, which profoundly affected the nature of later Roman animal spectacles. As with other organizational aspects of the venationes, the infrastructure of such spectacles, especially those organized by the emperors themselves, became more regularized over time. This increased the role of the Roman military in the capture and transport of animals.

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