Beasts of the Roman Games

Historians examine the use of wild animals in ancient Rome's gladiatorial arenas, and the political power struggles behind the spectacles. This phenomenon began in 275BC, when four captured elephants were put on public display in the amphitheatres. Later, General Pompey masterminded a series of games in which lions fought each other, and it wasn't long before enterprising minds hatched the notion of putting men into the arena with the beasts