Ancient Roman Arena Study

This paper carries out a systematic study of gladiatorial combats in Ancient Rome. As one of the symbols of Ancient Roman culture, gladiatorial combats isn't a type of amusement only, instead, it is closely related to religion, politics, economy, culture, the rise and decline of Ancient Rome and has a profound effect on them. Therefore, the study will help us to have a further understanding of the social characteristics of Ancient Rome and the cause of the decay of Roman Empire.Firstly, the paper explores the origin of gladiatorial combats in Ancient Rome studying the two major theories about it, e.g. Etruscan Origin Theory and Campanian Origin Theory. Then, the paper emphasizes the development and evolution, the prevailing and end of gladiatorial combats in Ancient Rome revealing the relationship between gladiatorial combats and the rise and decline of Roman Empire. Thirdly, the paper introduces the participants, sponsors and spectators of gladiatorial combats in Ancient Rome respectively explaining national mind and spirits of Romans. Fourthly, the paper describes spots of gladiatorial combats clarifying relationships between the construction, distribution of arenas and Romanization. Finally, the paper, based on the research and analysis above, probes further into the effect of gladiatorial combats on Ancient Rome, pointing out that on one hand, it met the need for amusement of Romans and accelerated the social scientific and technological development of Rome at that time, on the other hand it wasted tremendous social wealth, accelerating the decay of morality in Roman society at that time.