Politics is a central trigger for social control, as it sets the tone for how a culture is run. During ancient Rome, a number of political issues were in evidence as part of gladiator shows who exhibited social control. The rhetorician and lawyer Fronto (undated) was well aware of the political power of the gladiator show. He provides a fascinating insight into the political structure of the time, stating that:
The human impulses that lead men to demand the grain allowance are less powerful than those that lead them to desire the spectacle. (undated front, letters 2.18.9-17)
Fronto infers that the power of the spectacle surpasses that of life itself; to live the Romans need the grain. This is possibly a slightly exaggerated point of view expressed by Fronto, as without life the Roman people would not be able to see the spectacle, however it provides a useful indication of just how powerful the spectacle could be. In the same Fronto letter (undated, letters 2.18.9-17) also points to the political significance of the spectacle:
that only people eligible for the grain subsidy are earned by grain handouts, and at that individually, while the whole town is earned by shows
Here Fronto is pointing out that the grain has an impact on the population on an individual level, however, the show can conquer people on a collective level. As the roman games developed through the late Republic and into the empire the roman games it became increasingly spectacular and politically charged. After the formation of the Empire, Kyle (2007) argues that the Roman people gave up whatever freedom they had and succumbed to autocracy, which was replaced by free food and entertainment.
political status
social control through gladiator shows it could be used to improve political status, through the admiration of the population and the acquisition of votes. Poliakoff (1987, p109) states that “the arena most clearly displayed the power and control of its organizers.” Obverse (undated, letters 2.18.9-17), speaking of Trajan, stresses this further, stating that Trajan’s rule was supported by the populace both by the gladiator shows that he was wearing for more serious things. Fronto also commented on the neglect of these two aspects stating that “serious things are left aside with greater loss, but games, with greater resentment” (Fronto undated, letters 2.18.9-17).
The abolition of the Republic and the formation of the Empire meant that there was no longer a need to compete for votes, so the approach of gladiator show changed to “adjust to the Emperor’s agenda” (Futrell 2006, p29). Tea gladiator show provided emperors the opportunity to stamp their own authority on the people, Poliakoff (1987, p. 109) states that the emperor was “the arbiter of life and death.”
Julius Caesar he was fully aware of the power of spectacle in determining his political status. Plutarch (AD 75) states that he “entertained the people with three hundred and twenty single combats” and that he consequently “threw into the shade all attempts that had been made before him.” show below Julius Caesar it became so widespread that it frightened other politicians to the point where they passed legislation limiting “the number of gladiators any one could have in the city” (Suetonius 121 CE, 15). Julius Caesar he was also the first person to use only silver and no other metal within the sand (Pliny Natural History 33.53 cited Futrell 2006).
During the reign of Augustpraetors who acted as editor to gladiator shows they were restricted in terms of resources. This meant that the gladiator shows those directly associated with the Emperor would receive higher praise, and the crowd would “see clearly to whom their gratitude was due” (Shadrake 2005, p63). This shows that August he was aware of the power of spectacle to enhance political status, and that to increase his own status, stifling other political figures’ control over him was an effective means. August provided eight gladiator shows in which 10,000 men fought, “thus forever eclipsing the memory of Julius Caesarbig games” (Shadrake 2005, p63)
the reign of Convenience it provided a more violent indication of how the games could be used to achieve political status. Cassius Dio (CE 54-211, 73.20) reports that Convenience
he gathered together all the men of the city who by disease or other calamity had lost their feet, had tied the limbs of a dragon round their knees, and after giving them sponges to throw instead of stones, had beaten them to death. with a club, under the pretext that they were giants.
Although this account by Cassius Dio seems horrifying when compared to modern morality, at the time it portrayed the Emperor “the divine role as Herculean monster-slayer” (Grant 1967, p113). here emperor Convenience he’s trying to convince the audience through this very public metaphor that he’s divine. Suetonius (121 CE, Caligula) describes extravagance under the rule of caligula; upon being crowned emperor, “more than one hundred and sixty thousand victims are said to have been sacrificed.”
The way in which political figures used spectacles varied between the Republic and the Empire. During the Republic there was a need to defeat political competitors and win votes from the population. In contrast, the Empire did not present competition to the head of state since an autocracy existed. However, under the Emperor, other political figures such as aediles, praetors, and generals wanted to use these shows to exhibit social control over the population and win votes. The main feature in the elevation of political status would be for the Emperor to impose his own personal stamp on the gladiator show ace caligula and Convenience did. The evidence here has shown that political figures have used spectacle to enhance their political status through grandeur and impact.
fear
Cassius Dio (CE 54-211, 73.20) discussed why some of the spectators chose not to attend the show, there were rumors that Convenience he planned to shoot some of the onlookers to emulate Hercules; “because they were partly ashamed of what was being done and partly scared.”
domitrian He also liked to portray fear through gladiator show to control the population. After an audience member openly questioned a decision he had made: “he had him dragged from his seat and thrown into the arena to the dogs, bearing this sign: ‘A supporter of the Thracians who spoke impiously'” ( Suetonius 121). CE, Domitrian).
This political tool of fear can be used by an Emperor to control any danger of his authority being hijacked by citizens.
