Spectacle in the Roman World

Gladiatorial combat, animal displays, naumachiae (staged naval battles), and spectacular executions were all an important part of Roman culture. The provision of a wide range of purpose-built buildings—from theatres to amphitheatres to circuses—as venues across the empire is testimony to the popularity and significance of these displays.

Spectacle in the Roman World offers an introduction to the main forms of spectacle in the Roman world, including human and animal combat, chariot racing, and aquatic displays. The book delves into their nature, context, and social importance.

It explores the vast array of sources, from literary to archaeological material, that informs the subject. The spectacles are examined with special emphasis on their physical setting, while also considering the variation in the provision of venues and their context across the Empire.

A final section reviews the modern reception of Roman spectacles, especially those involving gladiators.