This text argues that the great spectacles of Ancient Rome were not merely casual entertainment, but a public opiate. Every year, the Roman citizens relied on the games to provide excitement and to help them forget their lack of political power. In the course of endless festivals, highly organized productions were staged at vast expense, and Rome developed its own cult of the star. The text maintains that the champions of the arena, doomed to a bloody death, were the instruments of collective pleasure. Rather than simply reconstruct these spectacles, this study analyzes the emotions of the...

This text argues that the great spectacles of Ancient Rome were not merely casual entertainment, but a public opiate. Every year, the Roman citizens relied on the games to provide excitement and to help them forget their lack of political power. In the course of endless festivals, highly organized productions were staged at vast expense, and Rome developed its own cult of the star. The text maintains that the champions of the arena, doomed to a bloody death, were the instruments of collective pleasure. Rather than simply reconstruct these spectacles, this study analyzes the emotions of the...