'The Roman games were cruel and degrading and cannot be justified,' How far do you agree with this opinion?

The Roman games have been a source of interest for many years and were part of Ancient Roman life throughout the Roman Empire for several centuries. The opinion that they were 'cruel and degrading' I think is without doubt if we consider them only from a modern western perspective, however, if we are to seek their justification or otherwise we need to examine further the tradition and it's place in Roman society. The games were …

…be understandable as to why mythology may have played a part in the arena as well as elsewhere in Ancient Roman life. While I am of the opinion that the Roman games were indeed both 'cruel and degrading,' I do not think we can say that they are entirely unjustified, the Romans as we do, needed a method of both instilling law and order and ensuring the safety of Rome, the arena provided this.