[donmeaker]

This must be seen. Roman cruelty was more than a tool of Government. It was also a religious form of Human Sacrifice. Gladiators were also human sacrifices. The Roman prayer was a contractual thing.

"I give that you, my G-d may give me, but if you can not give me, then I give that you will at least not stand against me."

The Romans would sacrifice to the G-ds of their enemies, in an attempt to buy neutrality, at the least. This sacrifice was not a one time thing, but the sacrificial implements and rituals would be brought to Rome, and continued. So the Roman Pantheon continually grew, as they conquered greater and greater lands, the "Family of the G-ds" would also increase.

[SedVictaCatoni]

I think that it's a serious exaggeration to state that the Romans in any way practiced human sacrifice. Roman physical cruelty, when it was practiced, was an instrument of government, not of religion. Note that for instance one of the privileges of being a Roman citizen was that you could not be scourged or executed without trial.