Tom Cunningham Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

PICTURE CREDIT , WALLPAPER CAVE.

 

The romans had a fascination for games which were bloody and usually ended in death for many.

It was often thought the thumbs down was a signal for a winning gladiator to finish off his opponent, research has proved otherwise, the thumbs up with a gentle stab to ones heart meant, kill your opponent.

The gladiators were hero's to the crowds and enjoyed celebrity status and occasionally they would meet their match and a new champion would emerge.

These gladiator fights usually took place at the end of the days games.

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.

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Valsa George August 15, 2022 at 5:45 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.

Emile Pinet August 3, 2018 at 6:14 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. Tom Cunningham August 3, 2018 at 9:32 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 August 3, 2018 at 12:11 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 Tom Cunningham August 3, 2018 at 12:44 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

Robert Lindley July 26, 2018 at 6:00 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. Tom Cunningham July 26, 2018 at 6:16 AM Thank you very much, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Regards. Tom

Viv Wigley July 25, 2018 at 10:31 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 Tom Cunningham July 26, 2018 at 1:46 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 July 25, 2018 at 2:32 PM Well-written description of a time gone by, Tom--well, except in the world of politics! Janice Tom Cunningham July 25, 2018 at 3:21 PM Thanks Janice , yes the senate were always at loggerheads, hasn't changed much since lol. Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis July 25, 2018 at 5:42 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! Tom Cunningham July 25, 2018 at 9:00 AM Thank you Demetrios, from what I have read about him he would not have been missed, a very cruel emperor. Tom

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

Becca Teagan July 24, 2018 at 11:39 PM Horrible source of "entertainment"! but a well-written historical piece :) Tom Cunningham July 25, 2018 at 1:55 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 July 24, 2018 at 5:24 PM I enjoyed this portrayal of those games, horrid as they were!! Interesting to learn the new fact about thumbs up!! Tom Cunningham July 24, 2018 at 8:37 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 July 24, 2018 at 2:51 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 Tom Cunningham July 24, 2018 at 4:16 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 July 24, 2018 at 2:37 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 :) Tom Cunningham July 24, 2018 at 4:12 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 July 24, 2018 at 11:08 AM They were also a very decadent society, immoral and ruthless. I did enjoy the read Tom. I also loved the movie, Gladiator! Tom Cunningham July 24, 2018 at 1:29 PM Thanks Daniel, they were indeed, in the end greed, corruption and infighting brought about the fall of the empire. Tom