Les anciens Romains elevaient des prodiges d'architecture pour faire combattre des betes.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Voltaire criticizes the Romans for building grand architecture just to entertain people with animal fights.
- In plain terms
- Romans built amazing structures just to watch animals kill each other.
- What can you take from it?
- Societies may use great resources to support cruel entertainment.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What do our modern spectacles reveal?
- Is architecture wasted on spectacle?
Another view
The Colosseum also served as a place for public assembly and games.
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Les mortels sont egaux; ce n'est pas la naissance, C'est la seule vertu qui fait la difference.
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