According to the Daily Mail, archaeologists in Serbia have uncovered the first archaeological evidence that used brown bears in their bloody spectacles. The skull of a bear, marked by a spear wound, was found near the ruins of an amphitheater in the city of Viminacium, an ancient military center of the Roman Empire.
The study revealed that the bear suffered a fracture to its frontal bone, which became infected and ultimately led to its death at around six years of age.
The Bloody Arena
The Viminacium amphitheater could hold about 12,000 spectators. Here, spectacles took place where people fought not only against each other but also against wild animals. According to scientists, were captured in the Balkan forests and kept in cages, sometimes for years. This is evidenced by the worn-down teeth of the discovered skull, indicating that the animal had been gnawing on the bars for a long time.
Who Were the Bestiarii?
Historians clarify that true fought only against other humans. In contrast, the bestiarii were a separate category of fighters who battled against animals such as boars, panthers, lions, dogs, and, as has now been proven, bears.
Bears in Roman History
In Roman sources, brown bears were described as trained performers, hunting animals, and even instruments of execution. They were brought from various corners of the empire: North Africa, Britain, and the Balkans. However, this discovery provides the first archaeological evidence of brown bears participating in fights.
Why This Discovery Matters
Professor Kathleen Coleman from Harvard University emphasizes that such findings help us understand the true scale of Roman entertainment and the brutality of these shows. They were not merely “sporting events,” but spectacles where humans and wild beasts faced off, both doomed to death.
