video: Un estudio sobre derecho romano de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid analiza las normas y la compleja logística imperial que regulaban la captura, el transporte y la seguridad en los espectáculos con animales del Imperio Romano, mucho más populares que los combates de gladiadores. Detrás de la fascinación y el fervor que despertaban las venationes —las cacerías y exhibiciones de animales exóticos en los anfiteatros romanos— existía una sofisticada y compleja maquinaria militar y administrativa. Una investigación de la UC3M analiza las dimensiones jurídicas de estos espectáculos a partir de dos leyes del Bajo Imperio, en concreto, dos constituciones imperiales del Código Teodosiano. El trabajo, publicado en la Revista General de Derecho Romano, aporta nuevos datos sobre el entretenimiento en la antigua Roma: desde un posible monopolio imperial sobre la caza de leones hasta los abusos y conflictos de seguridad provocados durante el transporte de las fieras.
Credit: UC3M
A study on Roman law by the Carlos III University of Madrid analyzes the regulations and complex imperial logistics that governed the capture, transport, and safety of animal spectacles in the Roman Empire—which were far more popular than gladiatorial combat.
Behind the fascination and fervor aroused by the venationes—the hunts and exhibitions of exotic animals in Roman amphitheaters—lay a sophisticated and complex military and administrative apparatus. A study by UC3M analyzes the legal dimensions of these spectacles based on two laws from the Late Empire, specifically two imperial constitutions from the Theodosian Code. The study, published in the Revista General de Derecho Romano, provides new insights into entertainment in ancient Rome: ranging from a possible imperial monopoly on lion hunting to the abuses and security conflicts caused during the transport of wild beasts.
The Lion Monopoly and Public Safety
Through the study of the imperial constitutions preserved in the Theodosian Code (Codex Theodosianus) and later compiled in the Justinian Code (Codex Iustinianus), the research demonstrates how imperial power exercised strict control over exotic animals.
“In late antiquity, faced with the growing scarcity of big cats, a state monopoly on lions was established to guarantee the supply of animals for the emperor’s spectacles and to prevent competition from private individuals—in other words, all lions belonged to the emperor,” comments the study’s author, Rosa María Carreño Sánchez, a researcher at the Lucio Anneo Séneca Institute of Classical Studies at UC3M.
The Roman army had highly specialized units (such as soldiers designated ad leones, the ursuarii, or the vestigiatores) dedicated to tracking, capturing, and guarding wild beasts along the Empire’s borders.
Furthermore, transporting these animals to the capital or the imperial menageries created significant logistical and economic challenges. The reason was that the provinces were required to supply the transport personnel at the expense of local coffers, and this could lead to fraudulent practices—specifically, undue delays that not only ruined the cities but could also conceal the fraudulent use of the animals for unauthorized private spectacles. To curb these abuses, the imperial administration imposed severe fines in gold on military commanders who failed to comply.
Historical Significance and Presence in Hispania
Unlike gladiatorial combat—which gradually died out due to the moral condemnation of Christianity and the high cost of organizing it—the venationes survived for centuries, becoming displays of human dominion over nature and the grandeur of imperial power.
This massive phenomenon spread throughout the Roman Empire, including Hispania. A prime example is the colossal amphitheater at Italica (Santiponce, Seville), one of the largest in the Empire, capable of hosting all kinds of gladiatorial spectacles—including venationes—in a city of barely 8,000 inhabitants.
“Unlike literary sources or films, which only show us the final outcome in the arena, an analysis of Roman law allows us to understand what went on behind the scenes: the management of resources, territorial conflicts, and the enormous logistical effort required by one of the most popular spectacles of antiquity,” concludes Professor Carreño Sánchez.
Further information:
Carreño Sánchez, R. M. (2026). De venatione ferarum (CTh. 15.11): Aspectos jurídicos sobre la captura y transporte de animales exóticos para los espectáculos públicos. Revista General de Derecho Romano, 46, ISSN: 1697-3046.
Method of Research
Literature review
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
De venatione ferarum (cth. 15.11): Legal aspects of capture and transportation of exotic animals for public spectacles
Article Publication Date
1-Jul-2026