Nam in ludis curulibus quis non horreat populi in se rixantis insaniam? in gladiatoriis homicidii disciplinam? In scenicis etiam non minor furor et turpitudo prolixior: nunc enim mimus vel exponit adulteria vel monstrat, nunc enervis histrio amorem dum fingit, infligit: idem deos vestros induendo stupra, suspiria, odia dedecorat, idem simulatis doloribus lacrimas vestras vanis gestibus et nutibus provocat: sic homicidium in vero flagitatis, in mendacio fletis.
At the curule games, who would not shrink from the frenzy of the struggling mob? or the organized bloodshed of the gladiatorial shows? In your stage plays there is the same wild passion, with indecencies still more prolonged; at one a farcer describes or acts adulteries; at another an actor expends his forces on the amours which he depicts; by masquerading their intrigues, their sighs, and their hates, he brings disgrace upon your gods. For feigned sorrows he moves you to tears by unreal nods and gestures, till in the arena you clamour for the bloodshed for which upon the stage you weep.
final_alignments\Minucius_Felix_Octavius.json