Gladiators

Well, as you might imagine there is just a ton of stuff out there about gladiators, the Colosseum, animal fights, etc.

Here is an excerpt from one web site describing Caelius's problems in getting panthers. If I'm not mistaken, this is the same Caelius who despaired of getting any leopards from Cicero (overall he was probably having a really bad day getting animals):

Roman officials (aediles) in charge of giving spectacles relied on their contacts in the provinces to help them get animals. In the following letter, M. Caelius Rufus, a protégé of Cicero, who had been elected to the office of aedile, complains to his mentor that he has not sent him more more panthers from Cilicia (modern southwest Turkey), where Cicero was provincial governor (Patiscus was a Roman businessman working in Cilicia) (ad Fam. 8.9.3):

In almost all my letters I wrote to you about panthers. It will embarrass you that Patiscus has sent ten panthers to Curio and that you have not sent me many more than that. Curio gave me those ten panthers plus another ten African ones…if you will only remember and procure panthers from Cibyra and likewise send a letter to Pamphylia (they say that more panthers are captured there), you will accomplish your purpose…for as soon as they are captured, you have people available whom I sent to feed and ship them.

Cicero responds somewhat humorously (ad Fam. 2.11.2):

The matter of the panthers is being dealt with at my command by those who are accustomed to hunt them. The problem is that there is a remarkable shortage of the animals, and those panthers that remain complain vigorously that the only traps set in my province are for them. Therefore the rumor is that they have decided to leave my province for Caria. Nevertheless your request is being taken care of and Patiscus is giving it first priority. As many panthers as are available will be yours…

Jim again: oh that wacky Cicero! he's always cutting me up.

Great topic for further reading.