While reading the article by Hopkins his made main point very clear that the popular gladiatorial shows were actually games. The games were played throughout this time as popular shows that attracted many of the surrounding population. .
The fight hosted by the emperor Trajan just after the conquest of Dacia in 108-109 A.D. was just one example of the fights that the author uses to make his point in the article. Although this particular game lasted much longer than most lasting over a 123 days it is a great example of the games that were played during this era. All the fights were chosen and set up by the royalty for entertainment. Due to the popular demand of the games and the fame that came to the fighters many tended to participate in the games.
Although many of the men that participated were slaves they did attract a majority of the women. They were honored because of their strength and courage that they portrayed in the shows. The shows were perceived to many to be a form of hell and punishment. The shows were originally shown to scare the average citizen and convince them that rebelling would only cause more harm than good. If a citizen refused to be a part of the show they were embarrassed in front if the entire town as a president and example of what would happen if another choose not to participate.
The Spartans are a great example of how this story related to out class. There entire life just as the Spartans was primarily devoted to fighting. Their sons were their futures and their pride and joy. The men in this time were the city-state protectors. Same as the Spartans if they lost they were killed but when or if they won they were held at the highest esteem and honored by the towns" people. .
Although the events themselves were emoral they were very popular and the article showed no biased toward one side or the other. However the author did describe how bloody and inhuman the fights actually were he never seemed to side that one thing was better than the other.