The larger frequency of chariot races may be explained partly by the truth that they had been comparatively cheap compared with the big prices of gladiatorial fight. The editor who staged the video games often rented the gladiators from a lanista and was required to reimburse him for losers executed in response to a “thumbs down” signal. [newline]Brutal as these combats were, most of the gladiators have been free men who volunteered to battle, an apparent signal of intrinsic motivation. Indeed, imperial edicts were needed to discourage the aristocracy’s participation. During the reign of Nero (54–68), female gladiators had been launched into the world. It is unlikely that the 7th-century Islamic conquest of North Africa radically altered the traditional sports activities of the region. As lengthy as wars had been fought with bow and arrow, archery contests continued to serve as demonstrations of ready prowess.
Youth sport presents children with …