n theater (Burrell 83).As the popularity of these bloody events grew with both the common people and political leaders, there was a need for a venue of entertainment. The coliseum, or "Flavian ampitheater," was erected around 80 AD during the ruling of Vespian and his son Titus. It was to be one of the greatest architectural masses ever built. The immense structure held more than 50,000 people (Burrell 80). The monumental size of this structure and its central location in the city speaks directly to the importance of this building and consequently this sport in the Roman Empire. Studies of Western civilizations show that where a society invests its money is where its priorities are. For almost four centuries, this bloody sport was entertainment for the masses.It seems that these gladiatorial games cause was not just purely entertainment purposes. It promoted a certain want for blood that aided in the need and want for political warfare. People were stimulated by the pure victory of the human masses, and in what was a conspiracy of sorts, it ultimately influenced Romans in later wars and fighting. It taught the massed that bloodshed was normal, tolerated and even prosperous for the underclass. The ultimate accomplishment of bloodthirsty entertainment was political, psychological brain washing. It has to be said that many Romans were cruel and bloodthirsty. They were like ignorant and brutal peasants who had suddenly become rich enough to give in to whatever beastly passion they liked. Nothing else can explain centuries of men being butchered for sheer amusement. The games were as popular as they were gruesome and caused great excitement and destruction. Civilized people created and promoted these events, and participated in them, because they provided great political and economical strength and unavoidable commotion. ...
