“The ancients thought that by this sort of spectacle they
rendered a service to the dead, after they had tempered it with a more cultured
form of cruelty. For of old, in the belief that the souls of the dead are propitiated
with human blood, they used at funerals to sacrifice captives or slaves of poor
quality whom they bought. Afterwards it seemed good to obscure their impiety by
making it a pleasure. So after the persons procured had been trained in such
arms as they had and best they might – their training was to learn to be
killed! – they did them to death on the appointed day at the tombs. So they
found comfort for death in murder.” (Kyle 43-44)
It should be noted that it was not a common practice to sacrifice humans at funerals but there are a few records. In early times public killings became a way to derive entertainment from the disposal of criminals, deal out punishment, and perform ritualized sacrifices. The arena developed as these spectacles grew in popularity.
"Elite Romans had long used elaborate funerals to reinforce
familial claims to status, and they would later use imposing monuments and
tombs as more enduring symbols." (Kyle 47)
A reference to burial sites.
"In 214, 370 deserters caught in southern Italy were publicly
scourged in the place of assembly (comitium) and thrown from the Tarpeian Rock
at Rome” (Kyle 49)
This quote shows the severity of punishment as well as a disposal method.
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| Click to take a tour of the Colosseum |
“Quick and unaggravated, decapitation at the edge of town
was the most discreet form of execution, a privilege for citizens of status.
For a host of crimes Rome punished criminals of low status with aggravated or
ultimate punishments (summa supplicia), which included exposure to wild beasts,
crucifixion, and burning alive. One could also be condemned to become a
gladiator, or sent for a life to the mines (metallum) or public works (opus
publicum)” (Kyle 53)
Another quote showing the severity of punishments doled out by the Ancient Romans.
“For exemplary effect, crucifixions were held at
well-travelled public roadways, offering a stark contrast to the hallowed
burials of good citizens nearby” (Kyle 53)
Crucifixions were usually punishments used again Jews and
Christians.
“All Roman funerary practice was influenced by two basic
notions – first, that death brought pollution and demanded from the survivors
acts of purification and expiation; secondly, that to leave a corpse unburied
had unpleasant repercussions on the fate of the departed soul” (Kyle 129)
"Methods of removal and disposal varied according to the victim's status. Gladiators were carried on stretchers through the fate of
death. Lesser victims were dragged off by hooks. The hooks added insult and
provided a way to avoid personal contact with an obscene body." (Kyle 156) pictured above.
Discussion: First of all, I apologize that this post is really long when I said I would try to keep them short. At this rate with book readings I doubt that will happen. The pages that I read focuses mainly on the way in which people were killed in the Arena and has not focused on the mode of disposal yet. When I quit reading though Kyle was discussing how the denial of burial was used as a further form of punishment for the worst criminals such as traitors, murderers, and enemies of Rome. These bodies were often fed to beasts and little is known of what they did with any remains left over. There is speculation that they would be dumped in a pit or simply left. The next chapter is entitled Disposal From Roman Arenas which I hope to get a chance to read later this evening.
Colosseum Image:
http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/
Tour is provided via BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/launch_ani_colosseum.shtml
Disposal Image:
http://www.themonolith.com/tag/ancient-roman-death-metal/
Quotes:
Kyle, Donald. Spectacles of Death in Ancient Rome. London: Rutledge, 1998.
I enjoy reading your posts immensely. I find if fascinating that different cultures have means of death that they reserve for their elite that are treasured. I feel that these different types of deaths represent what we have been reading about in some of other texts for the class in dying a "good death". The Romans had several ways of dying a honorable death as well as a plethora of ways to demean ones death and make it a horrid affair. I have always found it interesting how the Gladiators were captured as slaves, taught to fights and the immense celebrity that they gained. I heard once, not lying it was probably in the movie Gladiator, that to "die in the arena was a good death". Being a gladiator was a sense of pride for many and one can see that in how highly it was prized.
ReplyDeleteYou're post's are easy to read and full of information. Keep it up!