Manipulation through Entertainment: The Roman Circus Shows in the Past and Football Games Nowadays

Abstract

This work explores the similarities and differences between the Roman Circus entertainment, the most famous show of the Ancient Empires, and Football, the most popular sport and entertainment of modern times. Both of them gathered a huge number of audience from different cultural and social backgrounds and classes, all in one place, for one purpose, which is entertainment. The Roman Circus was characterized by chariot races and gladiators games. These spectacles were used by Emperors to gain public acceptance and prevent the oppositions and revolutions. In contrast, modern football is a global phenomenon that sells the ideology of belonging to a team, defending the philosophy of the team, watching all the games and buying all sorts of items like the team or the football player. This comparison studies the audience engagement with these two different entertainment shows that shape societal values and collective beliefs. Through this analysis, we come to the conclusion that both old Empires and modern rulers utilized sport not only for entertainment, but more importantly, to control their peoples and their behaviour