When you think of Rome, do you hear the crowd shouting "death!" and see the turn of the thumbs? Of all images, gladiators fighting in the arena remains the popular image of ancient Rome. Like many modern sports, the ancient arena was popular, drawing huge crowds. Ancient critics dismissed these events as "bread and circuses", spawned to distract the masses. Similar criticisms are leveled against TV and modern sports. Are the WWE and NASCAR events modern versions of dangerous ancient sports? This illustrated presentation considers the reality of the gladiators and chariot-racing and the value of drawing modern connections.