| Description |
xi, 362 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm |
| Summary |
"Why did the Romans turn out in their tens of thousands to watch brutal gladiatorial games? Previous studies have tried to explain the attraction of the arena by theorizing about its cultural function in Roman society. The games have been seen as celebrations of the violence of empire or of Rome's martial heritage, or as manifestations of the emperor's power. The desire to watch has therefore been limited to the Roman context and rendered alien to modern sensibilities. Yet the historical record reveals that people living in quite different times and circumstances (including our own) have regularly come out in large numbers to watch public rituals of violence such as executions, floggings, animal-baiting, cudgeling, pugilism, and so on. Appreciating the social-psychological dynamics at work in attracting people to watch such events not only deepens our understanding of the spectator at the Roman games but also suggests something important about ourselves"-- Provided by publisher. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 325-357) and index. |
| Contents |
Alypius in the stands : The strengths and limitations of social psychology -- 1. Seeking explanations : The story so far ; Some contextual factors ; The applicability of social psychology -- 2. A catalog of cruelty : Punishment ; Medieval public executions and the "good death" ; Combat sports and bloodsports -- 3. Groups, crowds, and seats : Group processes and the crowd ; The Pompeii riot ; Amphitheaters and spectator demographics -- 4. Crowd dynamics at arena spectacles : Spectator expectations, behaviors, and vocalizations ; Social identity content ; Theater and amphitheater -- 5. Arenas of prejudice : The phenomenon of prejudice ; The Roman macrocontext ; The arena and prejudice -- 6. Gladiators and sports spectatorship : Sports and spectators ; Excitement: the emotional factor ; Gladiatorial shows as sports spectators ; Arena sport -- 7. The attractions of violent spectacle : The attraction(s) of violent spectacle ; Affective dispositions ; Affective dispositions at the arena -- The lure of the arena -- Appendix : Select literary and epigraphic testimonia for arena crowd behavior and related issues.. |
| Subject |
Executions and executioners -- History.
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Gladiators -- History.
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Violence -- History.
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Social psychology -- History.
|
| ISBN |
9780521196161 |
|
0521196167 |
|
9780521185967 paperback |
|
0521185963 paperback |
| Standard No. |
40019226634 |
|
