The Romans did so adore their bloodsports. When novel animals were discovered (typically brought by traders from the interior of Africa), their slaughter by trained hunters/gladiators were a big draw for crowds at the Colosseum - including harmless ones, like giraffes.
That is insane. It sounds so sadistically impulsive; “hey look something large, wild, and scary.” … “Kill it!”
The Romans did so adore their bloodsports. When novel animals were discovered (typically brought by traders from the interior of Africa), their slaughter by trained hunters/gladiators were a big draw for crowds at the Colosseum - including harmless ones, like giraffes.