FYS 251: Spectacles of Blood

ROMAN GLADIATORS &  CHRISTIAN MARTYRS IN THE ARENA

1. Tertullian begins his critique of spectacles by condemning them as a type of pleasure that corrupts the mind (C.1.1-2). How is this criticism different than that offered by Seneca the Younger [Epistle 7].
2. Is Tertullian characterizing the arguments of Christians or pagans in defense of spectacles in C.1.3? Does this tell us anything about his intended audience?
3. Why does Tertullian reject the argument that renounciation of pleasure makes a Christian more ready for death? What does this rejected argument tell us about how T's contemporaries perceived Christians?
4. Why does Tertullian reject the argument that the arena is part of god's creation? [C.2] Who has made the argument.. On what premises does his argument depend?
5. In C.3, Tertullian rejects another other argument in favor of the games. Who has offered this argument? What is the argument and why does he reject it? On what assumptions does Tertullian's argument rest?
6. In C.4, Tertullian offers another reason to reject the argument offered in C.3. What is his new argument and on what assumptions does it rest?
7. in C.5-6, Tertullian begins his history of the games. What games is he talking about? For the purposes of his argument, what are the salient features of the games? Does it matter what the content of the games is for this argument?
8. In C.7-8, Tertullian appears to argue that the games held in the Circus (athletic) competition are worse than other types of spectacles. Why? Does Tertullianbelieve that the Circus is inherently evil? If not, why should Christians avoid it?
9. If riding a horse is not inherently evil, as Tertullian argues in C.9, why are horse races in the Circus evil?
10. In C.10, Tertullian argues against the theatre. On what bases? Is Tertullian's association of Venus and Baccus convincing? Why does he want to make this association? Why and on what basis does Tertullian attack the arts in general?
11. What are the spectacles that Tertullian condemns in C.11? On what basis does he condemn them?
12. Who was Tertullian.  Does biographical information about him help you understand this text?