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Crazy Roman Funeral Tradition
SKETCH-O-VISION
A VERY GOOD USE OF YOUR TIME.
The setup
Watch on YouTube
Watch onYouTube
The premise
Here’s the bit.
A solemn tribute to a dead Roman ends with the announcement that two of his enslaved fighters will battle to the death beside the grave. One mourner is appalled, while his companion enthusiastically explains how each new casualty creates another funeral and another fight. The officiant soon has a fresh eulogy to deliver. When an even more enticing funeral is mentioned, the sceptical guest quickly abandons his objections and asks to join the crowd.
The funny people
Meet the cast. 5
Say it with us
Highly quotable.
It's been wall-to-wall funerals for weeks now. Brilliant!
You've got to pretend to be sad until the fight starts.
A little extra
Notes from the archive.
Gladiatorial combat grew out of private ceremonies connected with mourning the dead, the historical custom behind the sketch’s premise.
The rabbit hole continues
One more couldn’t hurt.
More from Horrible Histories.
