110). The baths were similar to modern day beaches – used to tell stories, meet people and show off (Veyne, pg. 111). The role of the baths, however, was to make life as pleasant as possible and even the poor had access to this luxury (Veyne, pg. 110). Because there was no distinction between pleasure and work, benefactors often found themselves ruined after investing in aqueducts for the public baths, theaters, or giant amphitheaters (Veyne, pg. 112). Contrary to popular belief, the gladiator battles that we are familiar with today were not viewed for the slaughter of the participant, but his display of courage during the event (Veyne, pg. 112). It was glory for an athlete to die in the arena and unlike what is portrayed in popular film or literature, Veyne states that all gladiators were volunteers, it made for a better show. Romans did not take pleasure in the murder of athletes; they were in fact, critical of those who did (Veyne, pg. 113). Roman imagery and literature actually paint a very different picture of the culture, not sadistic in nature. In fact, when Romans colonized a barbarian nation, their first concern was to end human sacrifice (Veyne, pg.
110). The baths were similar to modern day beaches – used to tell stories, meet people and show off (Veyne, pg. 111). The role of the baths, however, was to make life as pleasant as possible and even the poor had access to this luxury (Veyne, pg. 110). Because there was no distinction between pleasure and work, benefactors often found themselves ruined after investing in aqueducts for the public baths, theaters, or giant amphitheaters (Veyne, pg. 112). Contrary to popular belief, the gladiator battles that we are familiar with today were not viewed for the slaughter of the participant, but his display of courage during the event (Veyne, pg. 112). It was glory for an athlete to die in the arena and unlike what is portrayed in popular film or literature, Veyne states that all gladiators were volunteers, it made for a better show. Romans did not take pleasure in the murder of athletes; they were in fact, critical of those who did (Veyne, pg. 113). Roman imagery and literature actually paint a very different picture of the culture, not sadistic in nature. In fact, when Romans colonized a barbarian nation, their first concern was to end human sacrifice (Veyne, pg.