Moedas de bronze e homens de ferro: as atividades econômicas que apoiaram os jogos de gladiadores, durante o Alto Império

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to research the reasons that allow us to understand how the economic process linked to gladiator shows in Rome during the High Empire developed. The subject is thorny, as Roman society at that time did not know the concept of economy. For this, we sought the evolution of the concept from its origins, passing through the various historical schools that have focused on the issue. After this theoretical basis, we direct our gaze to economic activities focused on gladiator shows. Within this scenario there were men and women who dedicated themselves professionally to the backstage of the arenas and thus moved, even indirectly, the economy of Rome linked to the games. When we tried to observe the shows in the arenas, we came across large sums that ranged from the value of the gladiators to the prices of animals that were brought from other continents to enrich and attract the public to the arenas. All this show of luxury and glamor grew in importance over the centuries, but all of it had a high price, which in Rome was incorporated by the Emperor. Thus, we can go through the shows, within an economic bias, throughout the Upper Empire and understand the importance that the games represented for that society.