I'm a little skeptical of this $15 billion figure, as per:
Quote:
Struck calculated that Diocles’ s total earnings of 35,863,120 sesterces were enough to provide grain for the entire population of Rome for one year, or to fund the Roman Army at its height for more than two months.
“By today’s standards that last figure, assuming the apt comparison is what it takes to pay the wages of the American armed forces for the same period, would cash out to about $15 billion,” wrote Struck.
...but, University of Pennsylvania has a great quality Classics program so I'll buy into the rest of it just fine.
And even with that nitpick, even if it's entirely valid, the end result is still... wow. :p Craziness!
Human nature doesn't change no matter the era of history or location in the world. Entertainment is big business! Impressive stuffs.