Animal Hunts in Rome

Many people today would be appauled from the violence and bloodshed held in the Roman Coliseum. However, at the day it was completely normal to attend these events. One event was the Venatione. This was an animal hunt where a venator (person who hunted animals) would catch and kill an animal or be killed. Many animals were used for these events. This included elephants, bears, bulls, lions, leopards, tigers, giraffes, monkeys, camels, antelopes, crocodile, and and ostriches. Sometimes, animals were even pitted against other animals. Some animals even became endangered and extinct becuase of overuse in the stadium.

The venator could hunt on horseback with a lance or on foot with swords and sheilds. Their mortality rate was high, and they did not receive nearly as much praise and recognition as gladiators. Some were slaves, like gladiators. Some wore armor, some normal clothes, some fought naked. Most usually belonged to an agency and were hired out to perform.

"The wild beast hunts, two a day for five days, are magnificent. There is no denying it. But what pleasure is there in seeing a puny human mangled by a powerful beast or a splendid animal killed with a hunting spear."
Cicero in 50 BC