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Roman Games

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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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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 :)

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!!

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

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 :)

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!

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