Why did the Romans enjoy watching physical combat?

Question: Why did the Romans enjoy watching physical combat!?
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The desperation of someone about to die gives others astounding insight to the personality of that person!. The fundamentals of the personality are rooted in the desire to survive and the manner in which one defends that desire!. These fundamentals become outward expression when the wish to live is threatened!. Some people wouldn't even participate in the combat, they would beg for their lives!. Some would pray, some would run and some would perform amazing displays of strength and power!. In these moments before death, the audience would be closer to them than all else because they would see first hand what the combatants were truly like!.

Outside of this, humans were easy to come by and it kept people distracted from the problems that plagued the entire empire!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Probably the Romans enjoyed the violence of physicl combat for the same reasons we do!. also, if criminals were the victims, it allowed average citizens to participate in/support the justice meeted out by the state!.!.!.!.But, where did gladitorial combat come from!?

Gladitorial combat was invented by the Etruscans!. The Romans particularly liked this form of physical combat, because their culture was heavily influenced by the Etruscans!.

(Some historians believe the Romans were influenced by the Etruscans, more than they care to admit!. For example, the official historian, Livy, writes about the rise of Rome from village to domination of Italy!.!.!.There is at least one episode in which Rome was conquered by the Etruscans, that Livy records as a Roman victory!.)

Gladitorial combat was seen as unnecessarily cruel, so was ended when Rome was Christianized, in the early 5th century!.At about the same time, the practice of execution 'res
bestia' - throwing condemned criminals to hungry animals - was ended!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Besides the fact that it was entertaining--which I am sure everyone has already stated--it was also a way for the Romans to reflect their societal status!. Going to watch the physical combat was not just about the fight--it was about interacting with each other!.!.!.seeing who sat where, who was with who, who was in the emperor's box!. It was much like it is today when you watch sporting games---who has floor seats at the Lakers game!? Who goes to the Superbowl!? Who had ringside seats at a boxing match!?
Another thing is that while they enjoyed the physical combat, they did not mind that these gladiators and slaves actually died!. Up until the late 19th century, hangings in the United States were still public--white and black individuals alike!. Depending on the crime, sometimes the body was burned or tarred and feathered afterward!. Why is that that three thousand years later our society is still mysteriously captivated with death and the suffering of others!? Perhaps it is human nature to be curious about what will eventually happen to us all!.
The Romans were a lot like us--bored and curious!. And easily entertained!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'd guess it's the predator in humans coming through!.

It is exciting to watch games (like football, soccer, baseball) - it can have a physical effect on your body - your muscles tense, your eyes focus on the action, you get excited !. Even games of chance (gambling) have been proved to have the same effect!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It was the equivalent to movies or television for Romans!.It was a social event - hordes of people gathered in an amphitheatre to watch!. It's the same as modern audiences watching boxing or wrestling or football or any of the many contact sports that are practised today!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

the same reason why we can watch boxing and wrestling (the real kind, mind you lol)

It also had something to do with the kind of society they lived in, however!. The Romans were a military society and they liked to see things of that nature!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Because people don't change very much!. You think they wouldn't have people fighting to the death in sports stadiums now if they could get away with it!? Put that on Pay-per-View and you'd clean up!.
It's all about what's socially acceptable!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

entertainment, same as today, only it's in movies not in real life!. not everybody enjoys violent entertainment, but a great deal of people do for what ever reason!. i find it upsetting in most cases!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The same reason the Americans enjoy watching physical combat!.
It's hilarious!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Same reasons we do!.
Fascination with combat, death and killingWww@QuestionHome@Com

Same reason people like to watch action movies and boxing!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

they found it entertainingWww@QuestionHome@Com

no TV back then!?Www@QuestionHome@Com