The colleseum

Built in the beginning of the third century A.D. and intended to hold more than 30,000 spectators, the great amphitheatre of El Jem probably responded to the Thysdritan's infatuation for the spectacles which must have taken place there and for which accounted a striking mosaic fashion in interior decoration based on themes related to the games. More loquacious than the manuscripts, these mosaics tell with great thoroughness of the progress of these games within the arena. The mosaics confirm that the Africans felt such a passion for hunting and wild animals that the fights of gladiators, so sought-after elsewhere in most provinces of the empire, come in the second rank. Therefore, mosaics representing animals usually seen in the amphitheatres were very frequent. Among the least cruel spectacles, one can mention the simple exhibitions of wild animals and the trainings ; but they do not seem to have excited the crowds' enthusiasm. These crowds preferred to attend fights where professional hunters or "venatores" were engrossed in mustering wild animals. But the most recurring pattern on the mosaics is the bloody hunting scenes, where "venatores" armed with pointed weapons such as spears, javelins and lances or with sharp weapons like daggers and swords attack large beasts such as lions, leopards and bears. A mosaic of Smirat, near Moknine, depicts, through script and picture, one merciless day in the amphitheatre, as the spectacle lasted from sunrise to sunset. The fight involves four hunters and four leopards. An inscription on the mosaic indicates that the spectacle expenses have been lavishly paid for by a local dignitary, being heartily cheered by the crowd. The popularity of the amphitheatre hunts had allowed the formation of numerous corporations or "sodalities", such as the "Telegenii", the "Pentasii" or the "Leontii" that looked after the beasts and trained the hunters in preparation for the games. But while these hunters carried weapons and were likely to beat the beasts, it was hardly the case for the convicts thrown to the beasts and who were sure to perish in horrible suffering. The victims of such tortures were either enemies of the empire, in this case war prisoners, or persecuted Christians sentenced to martyrdom, or else dangerous criminals who terrorized people and whose punishment should serve as an example. A mosaic of El Jem represents in a very realistic manner some prisoners being devoured by panthers in the arena. The beasts are often decorated with garlands and ivy, as they were dedicated to the gods of the amphitheatre, which underscores the religious character of the games. Diana, the goddess of the hunt, and Dionysus, the tamer of wild animals, are the two deities associated with the fights.