#gladiators;

[parissmithah-blog]

[parissmithah-blog]

Gladiatorial Games

The Emperors believed that holding the gladiatorial games was a good way to keep the people of Ancient Rome happy and satisfied with the how the city was being ruled (Trueman, C., 2000). These shows were free to the public and the government provided free bread – the combination that they believed would keep the unemployed people of Rome happy (Trueman, C., 2000). 

This ultimately was extremely successful. The citizens of Rome never questioned the government and barely voiced any unhappiness. They took pleasure in watching the slaves fight and die, because it gave them a sense of power themselves. 

Cicero in 50BC wrote, “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” (Trueman, C., 2000). This is quite contradicting as Cicero is expressing his displeasure in the slaves’ fights. Perhaps because he was more scholarly than regular citizens, he might have recognised the meaning behind the games. However, even to Cicero’s distaste, the Gladiatorial games were successful in completely the purpose they were made for, although making life harder for slaves and in turn causing revolts.

[parissmithah-blog]

Slaves: Punishment and Gladiators

Life for Roman slaves during the Republic was harsh, but their living conditions became better during the Imperial time. It was quite ironic how the slaves were seen as luxuries but never got any themselves. By definition slavery was brutal, violent and dehumanising, where slaves were seen at the same level as animals (Bradley, K. 2011). 

These slaves were often beaten for disobedience or if something was done, properly or quick or well enough. Not much could be done since the master had absolute power, so physical punishment and sexual abuse were common (Bradley, K. 2011 & William, C. M., 1996). Some slaves were treated well, but no mercy or break of any kind was given to any man who was ill, injured, or aged, but they were still forced to persevere in their labour, until in the midst of their tortures they died (William, C. M., 1996).

In the 1960 film, Spartacus, in a conversation between himself and Tigranes Levantus, Spartacus said 

“All men lose when they die and all men die. But a slave and a free man lose different things. When a free man dies, he loses the pleasure of life. A slave loses his pain. Death is the only freedom a slave knows. That's why he's not afraid of it. That's why we'll win.” (Spartacus, 1960). 

Slaves looked forward to death, and like the Spartacus quote states; it was their escape from pain. They were subjected to beatings at Augustus’ (Rome’s first emperor) command, or set free (Woolf, G. 2012). Both options just as opposite as to the other. These slaves could be brutally beaten or even crucified if a magistrate allowed it (Conroy, J. el.al, 1994). 

There were many revolts in Republic Rome, explicitly in 196BC, 185BC-184BC and 135BC (Yavetz, Z., 1988).Over time, the living conditions of these slaves became more bearable, and the introduction of the Gladiatorial games aided in keeping not only the people of Rome in place, but the slaves as well. Although the treatment of these captured people was still really bad; it led to rebellion and several Slave Wars, the most famous being the revolt led by the gladiator slave, Spartacus (Alchin, L., 2015).

Marcus Licinius Crassus: Did you truly believe 500 years of Rome could so easily be delivered to the clutches of a mob? Already the bodies of 6000 crucified slaves line along the Appian Way. (Spartacus, 1960).

In 73-71 BC the gladiator Spartacus eminently led a revolution of thousands of slaves in central Italy, formed an army that defeated numerous Roman legions, and at one point threatened Rome itself (Bradley, K. 2011).

Although they were successful, Spartacus and his army did not succeed. The penalty of this: 6000 of Spartacus’ supporters being crucified along the main road leading to Rome. Their bodies were left as a reminder to slaves not to oppose their owners (Conroy, J. el.al, 1994).

[katrinapavela]

2.08 Happy Birthday, Mr. President--Olitz Oval Office 

(video from juststandhere)

I've been wanting to do a play-by-play analysis of #olitz Oval Office sex scene...for reasons.

"What are you doing here?"

Do you notice Fitz's swag as Olivia asks him, "what are you doing here?" Even though I'm sure she knows the answer. He responds, "It's my office," the subtext being--I've got work to do. He rolls up his sleeves to show how sin-serious about that work.

"Mr. President"

Fitz predatory slow walk and gaze on Olivia is extremely sexy, and she knows what that means. She tries to heed him, but it only ignites him. "Ooh, I like that. Say it again." This is the start of the contrast between the first night they make love and the first night they have sex when Fitz is officially president. 

In "The Trail," Fitz was all say my name. He wanted that personal, one to one connection (I'm not the candidate; you're not the campaign fixer). Whereas in the Oval--the first night he is officially the leader of the free world--he wants to hear Oliva do her best Monroe with the "Mr. President" line. He is confident, lustful and indulgent. There's only one person upon whom he wants to release that.

"We can't"

This is the first of several 'cant's' in this scene that passes between Liv and Fitz. He grabs her and tells her they can, all while getting his erotic grope on. Olivia is nearly physically subsumed in his embrace.

"I think it could happen on that desk"

Never mind that there are two plush sofas right behind them. Fitz has focused exercising his lust for Liv on Lincoln's Resolute desk. In this whole scene, Fitz is absolutely resolute about him and Olivia.

"I spent all night dancing, but never with the person I wanted to dance with"

Aaaand with this line the Panty Dropper #44 effect starts to work on Liv. Truth be told she wanted to dance with him too on that very special night. As soon as Fitz invades her space, which he is so good at doing--he lets out a subtle grunt of sexual anguish. Liv returns the sentiment and goes in on those lips. She wants her better angels of appropriateness to succeed, but they're losing the fight. 

"You're the most important person in my life. I can't just stop. Can you?"

Notice that when Fitz says this, he is not invading Liv's space, nor is he touching her. The decision is hers. She gives her non-verbal answer by looking directly at Fitz and coyly mounting the Resolute desk. To show him how very resolute she is, she simultaneously hikes up her dress, opens her legs, and grabs his hand to put it on her. She's now giving the sexual cues. They're in this together.

And on a ratchet note, after Panty Dropper #44 fulfills his namesake, there's a moment where he remains on his knees looking up to Liv for what she wants next. Should he stay on his knees or come up? Liv grabs his face, kisses him deeply and pulls him up. She's completely gone and quickly gets to the point by unbuckling Fitz's pants. He may be officially Commander in Chief, but Liv is the captain of their ship in that moment.

Sorry this was long. I just needed to get the thoughts out!