What happens when power goes unchecked — and your emperor has a flair for the theatrical? In this episode, we dive into the wild world of Roman exotic animal culture, beginning with the shocking tale of Emperor Domitian allegedly forcing a senator to fight a lion. From imperial cruelty to the Roman obsession with exotic beasts, we explore how animals were used for entertainment, status, and even as unusual pets in elite Roman households. It’s a story of spectacle, status, and savagery in the empire that brought the jungle to the palace.