Gladiators and Christians Weren't the Only Ones Killed in the Roman Games
New Book Reveals Surprising Truth
A new book is shedding light on the often-misunderstood world of the Roman Games. According to the book, not everyone who perished in these bloody spectacles were Christians or gladiators. In fact, criminals were often the first to be killed.
The Book
The book in question is "Those About to Die" by Daniel P. Mannix. First published in 1958, it has been republished several times, most recently in 2001 as "The Way of the Gladiator." The book draws on a wealth of historical sources to provide a comprehensive account of the Roman Games.
The Findings
One of the most surprising findings in "Those About to Die" is that criminals were often the first to be killed in the Roman Games. These criminals were typically sentenced to death for serious crimes such as murder, rape, and treason. They were often executed in brutal and public ways, such as being burned alive, crucified, or thrown to wild beasts.
While Christians and gladiators were also killed in the Roman Games, they were not the only ones. In fact, criminals made up a significant portion of the victims. This finding challenges the traditional view of the Roman Games as being solely about the entertainment of the masses.
The Significance
The findings in "Those About to Die" have important implications for our understanding of the Roman Games. They show that these spectacles were not simply about violence and entertainment. They also served as a way for the Roman authorities to maintain social control and punish those who broke the law.
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