i do not really think that the gladiator sports, marked the decline of rome. it may be more from, the lions eating up all the prophets.

but then it took over 500 years for rome to fall. which is longer than most governments, have lasted. but like most nations, it immorally rotted from the inside out. fiddled around, too much i guess.

well there, can be a moral vs an immoral side in violence. though it is usually two or more, immoral sides opposing each other.

but i, do not personally remember giving up football after jr high because it was too violent. and as a vietnam vet, i knew the risks before i enlisted. so i, took responsibility for my own decision. and learned the only one, responsible for my own safety is me. even if i have a responsibility to the safety of the unit.