Venatio
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2008-03-03T21:10:48Z
AndrewHowse
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[[Image:Gladiator Bronzemedaillon.jpg|thumb|left|Bronze medallion depicting the fight between a man and a wild animal (''venatio'').]]'''Venatio''' ("hunt") was a form of entertainment in [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] [[amphitheater]]s involving the [[hunting]] and slaying of [[wild animal]]s. Exotic wild beasts from the far reaches of the [[Roman Empire]] were brought to [[Rome]] and hunts were held in the morning prior to the afternoon main event of [[gladiator]]ial [[duel]]s. The hunts were held in the [[Roman Forum]], the [[Saepta]], and in the [[Circus Maximus]], though none of these venues offered protection to the crowd from the wild animals on display. Special precautions were taken to prevent the animals from [[wikt:escape|escaping]] these venues, such as the erection of barriers and the digging of [[ditch]]es. Very few animals survived these hunts though they did sometimes defeat the "bestiarius", or hunters of wild beast. Thousands of wild animals would be slaughtered in one day. For instance, at the games [[Trajan]] held when he became [[emperor]], over 9,000 animals were killed.
Not all the animals were ferocious, though most were. Animals that appeared in the venatio included [[lion]]s, [[North African Elephant|elephant]]s, [[bear]]s, [[deer]], wild [[goat]]s, dogs, and [[camel]]s. Some of these animals were trained and, instead of fighting, [[performance|perform]]ed [[trick]]s.
Revered for its ferocity, the lion was extremely popular in venationes and gladiatorial shows. While dictator, Caesar used a staggering 400 lions (imported primarily from North Africa and Syria) in the Circus, the foreignness of the animal lending his shows added panache. Savage images of the lion were not exclusive to the arena, however. Sculptures of lions devouring prey were often used on sepulchers as symbols of the voraciousness of death.
Following the venatio in the order of daily events were the [[humiliores]], the [[Execution (legal)|execution]] of Roman [[citizen]]s of lower status. Usual forms of execution included [[execution by burning|burning at the stake]], [[crucifixion]], or [[ad bestias]] (when the prisoner is left alone in the ring with one or more wild animals). Ancient writers suggest that during the humiliores, most respectable men and women went for lunch instead of staying to watch.
Roman emperors often sentenced serious [[criminal]]s — who then became known as ''bestiarii'' — to fatal encounters with the beasts in the Colosseum — an ancient "death sentence". The criminal met his fate in the context of an elaborate play; instead of a happy ending, though, the main character of the production — the convict — was mauled by a bear, whom he fought without [[weapon]]s or [[armor]]. These were the lowest [[Social class|class]] of participants in the games.
Such gory dramas were common at the program Emperor [[Titus]] arranged to dedicate the [[Colosseum]] in A.D. 80. That lavish show lasted 100 days. Throughout the festivities more than 10,000 prisoners and 9,000 animals were slaughtered.
Obtaining the animals from the far-flung corners of the empire was an ostentatious display of wealth and power by the emperor or other patron to the populace, and was also meant to demonstrate Roman power of the whole human and animal world and to show the [[plebs]] of Rome exotic animals they might never see otherwise.
==See also==
*[[North African elephant]]
[[Category:Ancient Rome]]
[[Category:Hunting]]
[[de:Tierhetzen im Römischen Reich]]
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