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Roman Games

Nero’s citizens enjoyed games of death
People and beasts for their sadistic fun
Animals and slaves drawing their last breath
Death in the arena, no place to run.

Gladiator fights were the ultimate
Hero worshipped champions of the gore
A sword thrust or spear sealed many ones fate
Crowds roared approval and called out for more.

Was man against man with sword, net and spear
Fight to the death, only one would remain
Experts in combat, none showed any fear
The loser on the ground writhing in pain.

Thumbs down, thumbs up victor looked to Nero
Thumbs up, swings sword crowd have a new hero.

Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2018

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Valsa George Date: 8/15/2022 5:45:00 AM I never enjoy even the boxing games. I wonder how the Romans could watch the duels of the gladiators and the opponents being stabbed to death. History is often marked by bloodshed. Thanks for allowing a glimpse into Roman History. Login to Reply

Emile Pinet Date: 8/3/2018 6:14:00 PM A totally different and interesting approach to life and death. The poem pours out a story of pain and decadents and we are left to deal with the results, testing our degree of understanding and tolerance. Emile. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 8/3/2018 9:32:00 PM Thank you Emile, for such an intelligent culture their moral standards leave a lot to be desired and played a big part in the decline of the empire, sad that even in modern times there are some cultures and even religions that have little respect for human life. It's hard to even imagine the horrors that were carried out by the so called Islamic state in their Gods name, shocking. Tom

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 8/3/2018 12:11:00 PM I wish Nero and other Roman leaders had been forced to participate in these "games." I always thought the activities in the arenas was gruesome, but you did teach me something about the signals the gladiators exchanged with emperors like Nero. Informative and riviting! Hugs, Carolyn Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 8/3/2018 12:44:00 PM Thanks Carolyn, Clever as they were the Romans were very ruthless, only one Emperor fought in the arena and that was Commodus, of course the crippled and the weak were his opponents, sums them up really. Tom

Arthur Vaso Date: 7/27/2018 2:16:00 AM I love poems with historical context, great write! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 7/27/2018 3:04:00 AM Thank you very much Arthur, like yourself I do love history, they do take a bit more research as you have to get names, dates etc spot on because someone with knowledge will pick you up on it. Tom

Robert Lindley Date: 7/26/2018 6:00:00 AM I have always loved history and reading about past empires. You have gifted us this fine sonnet my good friend and I add this to me fav list giving thanks. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 7/26/2018 6:16:00 AM Thank you very much, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Regards. Tom

Viv Wigley Date: 7/25/2018 10:31:00 PM I've stood in the Colosseum and pondered on these things, Tom. Brutal times. Good view from the cheap seats, though. Great write, educational as always, I give it a thumbs up....or down....er..... Regards, Viv Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 7/26/2018 1:46:00 AM Thanks Viv, Always thought the up thumb was good ,not so, they also used clenched fist and flat of palm. In one of the games they ran out of slaves so the emperor nominated a section of the crowd, never sit near the front lol

Janice Canerdy Date: 7/25/2018 2:32:00 PM Well-written description of a time gone by, Tom--well, except in the world of politics! Janice Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 7/25/2018 3:21:00 PM Thanks Janice , yes the senate were always at loggerheads, hasn't changed much since lol. Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis Date: 7/25/2018 5:42:00 AM Nero, was killed by a servant after Nero's request on the 9th of June 68 AD. Your historic lesson is precise my friend, Tom expressed in an admirable way! Loved it! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 7/25/2018 9:00:00 AM Thank you Demetrios, from what I have read about him he would not have been missed, a very cruel emperor. Tom

Caren Krutsinger Date: 7/25/2018 12:07:00 AM Horrible what they used to do, but it is accurate, and portrayed nicely in a horrifyingly real way. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 7/25/2018 1:58:00 AM Thank you Caren, life was certainly cheap in ancient times, thankfully we now have the civilised Olympic games. Tom

Becca Teagan Date: 7/24/2018 11:39:00 PM Horrible source of "entertainment"! but a well-written historical piece :) Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 7/25/2018 1:55:00 AM Indeed it was Becca, all ancient cultures were the same, we all marvel at the pyramids but not realising thousands of slaves died in their construction. Tom

Andrea Dietrich Date: 7/24/2018 5:24:00 PM I enjoyed this portrayal of those games, horrid as they were!! Interesting to learn the new fact about thumbs up!! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 7/24/2018 8:37:00 PM Thanks Andrea, without doubt the Romans were very well organised and skilled in many things but they were also cruel and quite barbaric, although many other cultures of that era were the same. Tom

Nette Onclaud Date: 7/24/2018 2:51:00 PM good thing this kind of senseless competition is now history... definitely a yes for me, tom... similar to this is bullfighting, wrestling...splendidly handled!... huggs Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 7/24/2018 4:16:00 PM I agree Nette, we see it in films but in reality they were cruel and brutal times, it must have been horrific for the thousands of people who died entertaining the citizens of Rome and other parts of their empire . Tom

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 7/24/2018 2:37:00 PM - The majority of gladiators were slaves who sacrificed the life of entertainment ...sad to think about - However, a wonderful poem Tom :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 7/24/2018 4:12:00 PM Thanks Sunshine, sadly it was the norm at the time for many cultures' with brutality and the taking of slaves after battles.How they found it entertaining is beyond me. Tom

Daniel Turner Date: 7/24/2018 11:08:00 AM They were also a very decadent society, immoral and ruthless. I did enjoy the read Tom. I also loved the movie, Gladiator! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 7/24/2018 1:29:00 PM Thanks Daniel, they were indeed, in the end greed, corruption and infighting brought about the fall of the empire. Tom