Overview

The elaborate and inventive slaughter of humans and animals in the arena fed an insatiable desire for violent spectacle among the Roman people. Donald G. Kyle combines the words of ancient authors with current scholarly research and cross-cultural perspectives, as he explores: the origins and historical development of the games; who the victims were and why they were chosen; how the Romans disposed of the thousands of resulting corpses; the complex religious and ritual aspects of institutionalised violence; and the particularly savage treatment given to defiant Christians. The book provides perspectives on the bloody entertainments of ancient Rome, which continue to fascinate us to this day.

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9780415248426

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Reviews

Kyle is extremely well-read, and his handling of the diverse literature is remarkably even-handed.<br> In his even-handed treatment of diverse schools of thought, he is impressive...His book advances our understanding of events in the amphitheater. <br>-David S. Potter, University of Michigan Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2002 <br>... as a balanced, wide-ranging, and up-to-date- account that is laways lively and probing, Kyle's book will take its place among the best recent studies of one of the most endlessly fascinating and culturally revealing institutions of Roman Society. loJonathan Edmondson, York University. <br> Manages the rare feat of combining a detailed and up-to-date knowledge of scholarship on the subject with an accessible, highly readable, even gripping narrative. <br>-Phoenix <br> Vivid, readable and packed with detail ... an enjoyable and essential work. <br>-Choice <br> Highly valuable. <br>-The Journal of Roman Studies <br>

Author Information

Donald G. Kyle

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