The potential inventiveness of man to invent new ways of entertaining the crowd during Roman arena executions by condemned prisoners is discussed, with the brutality of the situation highlighting the author's fear of uncertainty in anticipation of one's execution.
The idea of watching people, including women, be ripped apart by beasts was considered entertainment in ancient Rome and was even proposed during a dull moment in between acts at one of their games. This concept is very different from gladiator fights and is extremely disturbing to modern people.