THRILL SEEKERS Why the Fatal Attraction?

IN THE ancient Roman arena, the excited crowds-50,000 strong-were on the edge of their seats.  Their anticipation had been building for days as widespread  advertising had proclaimed that the events to take place would provide  "spectacular thrills not to be missed." 

While magic shows, pantomimes, clowns,  and comedy still drew crowds in local theaters, the events in the arena were very different.  The discomfort of the hard seats and the cares of the day would soon be forgotten in the breathtaking thrills to be played out before the eyes of the spectators. 

Now came the singers, followed by the robed priest. Then incense bearers led a  succession of idols depicting gods and goddesses, carried aloft for all to see.  This gave the events the appearance of having divine blessing. 

Animals Slaughtered

Now the great entertainment features were about to begin.  First, ostriches and giraffes, which few in attendance had ever seen, were loosed in the arena with no way of escape.  Scores of skilled archers with bows and arrows slaughtered the helpless animals, down to the last one, to the joy of the thrill-seeking audience. 

The cheering crowds were next  treated to a life-and-death battle between two huge elephants whose tusks had been fitted with long, sharp iron spikes.  There is thunderous applause as one mighty animal falls to the blood-soaked sand mortally wounded.  This scene has only whetted the appetite of the spectators for the main event just minutes away.  

Next time: THRILL SEEKERS Why the Fatal Attraction?/The Main Event

From the Awake! magazine