"In the civilized state of the Roman empire, the wild beasts had long since retired from the face of man, and the neighbourhood of populous cities. To surprise them in their solitary haunts, and to transport them to Rome, that they might be slain in pomp by the hand of an emperor, was an enterprise equally ridiculous for the prince, and oppressive for the people."

Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

On one occasion, relates Dio, Commodus killed five hippopotamuses, two elephants, rhinoceroses, and a giraffe.