Conclusion

Combat sports presented the spectator with extreme acts of violence, potentially even fatal violence. But that violence was controlled and purposive. It took place in ceremonial contexts - funerals or religious festivals primarily - with the athletes wearing special uniforms, nudity in the case of combat athletes and identifiable armaments for gladiators.

The fights were not violent mayhem or murderous free-for-alls, but regulated and controlled by rules and expectations, all monitored by referees and the watching people themselves. These games were able to give visible expression to values and ideology at the heart of Greek and Roman societies: courage, skill and discipline, especially in a martial context, perseverance to victory against all adversity and at all costs, even one's life, and the ostentatious demonstration of personal excellence. The public nature of the performances is critical: it must be seen to be legitimised. Victory in such combat was worthy of immortality. As it was for Homer's mythical heroes, so it was a fitting way for a terrified young woman languishing in prison to rationalise her own horrifying death. She would fight and win, and earn immortality.

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Source: Fagan Garrett G., Fibiger Linda, Hudson Mark, Trundle Matthew (eds.). The Cambridge World History of Violence. Volume 1: The Prehistoric and Ancient Worlds. Cambridge University Press,2020. — 756 p.. 2020

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