Classical Studies 2300 Study Guide - Ludus Magnus, Summum, Subligaculum

• School: Western University
• Department: Classical Studies
• Course: Classical Studies 2300
• Professor: Charles Stocking

Document Summary

Seneca (stoic philosopher, tutor and advisor to nero= fail) letter 7. 1-5. And nothing is so damaging to good morals as to hang around at some spectacle. There through pleasure, vice sneaks in more easily. I come back more greedy, more desirous of honour, more dissolute, even more unfeeling and cruel, because i have been among people. By chance i happened to be at the spectacle at noontime, expecting some witty entertainment and relaxation, to rest men"s eyes from the gore. Whatever fighting there was before was comparative mercy. Now there was pure murder, no more fooling around. Many people prefer this to the ordinary pairs and the fighters. No helmet or shield pushes the sword away. In the morning men are thrown to lions and bears, at noontime to the audience. Some considered this show moral because they were criminals but seneca did not agree. Let barbarous memphis stop talking about the miracle of the pyramids;