Exotics for Entertainment: A Reconstruction of the Roman Exotic Beast Trade (First to Third Centuries AD)

Abstract

The exotic beast trade for public spectacles in the Roman provinces is fraught with gaps in the historical record concerning its organization and infrastructure. Much of the evidence regarding these aspects of the animal trade, dating from the first to third centuries AD, is purely from the benefactor’s perspective. There remain several mentions of ‘hunter troupes’, such as the Telegenii, who provided trained beasts and bestiarii (hunters) for these local games. This indicates that there was an established network of traders who provided these services during the Roman Imperial period. However, little is known about how they functioned. This paper proposes the use of comparative techniques to comment on how these troupes captured, transported, trained and traded animals for public spectacles. This discussion will analyze other contemporary Empire-wide trade networks, like the grain and slave trades, in addition to those of other cultures that imported exotic animals. By analyzing trade networks and the subsequent challenges faced by other cultures that imported exotic beasts, it is possible to explore how the networks of the Roman beast trade functioned.

Keywords

• Animal Studies
• Sports History
• Venationes
• Epigraphy
• Mosaics
• Comparative Studies