The point is to create a spectacle, something that wows the crowd. Exotic wildlife is better for that just by reason of being exotic. But a secondary point is to show the people the awesome power of the Roman state, with its immense continent-spanning logistics capabilities.

"Are you not impressed?"

Empires should spend part of their budget on impressing. The English lad who spent whole days schlepping a few bushels of turnips to the market would be thinking, "I should join the Empire and transport lions".

> with its immense continent-spanning logistics capabilities.

So, a bit like Amazon? Ave Jeff!

Must see if they have a lion at good price.

This is an attempt at a joke, BTW.