The Late Roman Republic was the period of the Ancient Roman civilisation when the government operated as a republic, where life in the Roman republic revolved around the city of Rome in the Roman forum. During this period, entertainment and leisure were an essential part of everyday life in Rome, where through an examination of modern and ancient sources it can be determined that the Roman people took their entertainment and leisure seriously. They also devoted a large portion of their time and finances for their leisure and entertainment.
Gladiatorial shows were a popular form of entertainment in Ancient Rome, where Livy and ancient historian dates the first recorded spectacle in Rome being staged in 246BC when three gladiators fought to the death in the Forum Barium, other wise known as the Cattle market. Gladiatorial spectacles progressed over the years, where Roman nobles began to hold more lavish shows, the spectacles also offered the Roman a view of a glorious and noble death represented through their fighting and dedication to the state. The Colosseum was Rome’s largest venue for the gladiatorial spectacles and various other events including; gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts and executions. Livy describes the gladiator shows as being one of the most extravagant he had ever seen. Furthermore, through an examination of a terracotta oil lamp found from the 1st century AD, it depicts gladiatorial combats as being popular amongst the Roman people. Gladiatorial combats were a popular from of entertainment in Ancient Rome, held in the Colosseum where the Roman people took great pride in the spectacles.
Entertainment in Ancient Rome was mainly held at the Colosseum also known as “The Flavian Amphitheatre”, hosted a number of gladiatorial shows as well as a variety of other events. Ancient writers state that a popular type of show was “The Animal Hunt” where great beasts such as crocodiles, elephants and giraffes were imported from Africa and The Middle East. These animals formed a vital part of the battles and hunts, which were staged in elaborate sets with buildings. Livy notes that the Roman Emperor Trajan celebrated his victories in the Colosseum with 107 contestants, with 11,000 animals and 10,000 gladiators. The poet Martial notes that the Romans wanted blood, where unlikely animals such as a bear and crocodile were pitted against each other, to satisfy their means of leisure and entertainment. Furthermore, the gladiators were prepared to die, as many were wounded or killed for special celebrations. For instance, when the Colosseum first opened, the celebration reportedly lasted 100 days. In addition, ancient writers note that the building was used for mock naval battles, where the Colosseum was filled with water to display re-enactments of famous sea battles. Ancient sources account the sea battles held by Titus in AD 80,where they filled the arena up with water. However despite these accounts, modern historians still remain unclear as to how the arena could have been waterproofed. Gladiatorial displays and wild beat fighting were a popular form of entertainment, which predominantly took place in the Colosseum.
Moreover, The Circus Maximus “Circo Massimo” located in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills also held gladiator contests and beast hunts. It was purpose built for chariot and horse racing. Ancient historian Livy notes the extravagance of the gladiatorial spectacles and beast hunts, as the Circus Maximus was the largest stadium in Ancient Rome. Besides holding spectacular gladiatorial and wild beast displays, the Circus Maximus was renowned for it’s chariot racing. Ancient Romans looked to Chariot racing as a popular form of leisure and entertainment. The circus games were the greatest attraction in Ancient Rome, where ancient writers note that 24 races were held each day showing that Romans put great emphasis on their entertainment. Furthermore, the spectators and poorer Romans gambled their money on the charioteers, further highlighting the importance of entertainment to their daily lives. Chariot racing was not only the popular form of entertainment in the town centre, but also popular in the provinces. This has been determined through a 2nd century AD mosaic from Lyons, then Gaul’s greatest city. The Circus Maximus was therefore the main destination where entertainment and leisure activities took place.
Another form of entertainment popular in Ancient Rome, that the Romans enjoyed were “Ludi Scaenici” other wise known as theatrical performances. These theatrical performances “Dramas” were performed in architecturally impressive theatres all over the empire. The Hellenization of Rome in the 3rd century BC had a major impact on the development of Roman theatre. Ancient historian Livy notes that the first theatre the Romans held was in 4th century BC and was a performance by Etruscan actors. Accounts from ancient historians depict the theatres as holding spectacular performances, mimes, dancing and lavish displays with special effects; all forming a part of Ancient Roman entertainment. The Theatre of Pompey “Theatrum Pompeium” was the largest theatre built in Rome, specifically designed for theatrical performances, public galleries and meetings. All actors in the Roman plays performed were male slaves; women were not permitted to perform. Also, ancient sources show the lack of women in these theatres, as they were restricted from viewing comedies. This emphasises the dramas as being a predominantly male form of entertainment. Roman audiences resourcefully found other uses for their theatres including; dance and balletic performances. There is evidence of these performances taking place, as elaborate masks depicted from a 1st century AD mask show that they were much loved and highly valued. Theatre spectacles were another popular form of entertainment in the Late Roman Republic.
Besides entertainment, in the time of the Roman Empire, the baths were a place of leisure for the Roman population. People from every class were permitted which included; children, men and women. Ancient descriptions state that the baths were not only meant for leisure, but for social gatherings, where the Romans met to socialize and discuss everyday matters. The “Baths of Trajan” and “Baths of Caracalla” were the main bathing facilities in Ancient Rome. Ancient written sources claim that those who were wealthy in Ancient Rome had private bath houses at home for their own personal use. Despite being a leisure activity for the Ancient Romans, where almost every Roman enjoyed them, philosopher Celcus describes the water as being unclean; full of dirt, oil and excrement proving a breeding ground for potentially harmful bacteria. The Roman baths were seen as a popular form of leisure for the Romans and became a vital part of the Ancient Roman tradition.
In addition, many people today consider Roman entertainment to be cruel and violent; as seen through the gladiatorial spectacles held in the Colosseum and Circus Maximus, where gladiators fought to the death and wild beats forced to fight each other. An ancient writer Seneca confirms this view where he wrote that for a gladiator “The only exit is death.” Many educated Romans considered the practices in the Circus Maxima and Colosseum and cruel and were appalled by the violence that took place. An ancient Roman writer Petronius those who considered the practices cruel visited the theatre for their entertainment instead. An ancient source Cicero, describes the beast hunts as being magnificent, however distressful and disturbing watching animals mangle humans and each other. It can therefore be said that Roman entertainment was violent in nature, appealing to the population of the Late Roman Republic.
In Conclusion, It is clear that entertainment and leisure were central to Roman life. During this period in Ancient Rome, entertainment and leisure were considered extremely important, where the Ancient Romans devoted a large portion of their time and money for leisure an entertainment. Through an analysis of ancient and modern sources, it reveals that the Romans took their leisure and entertainment time seriously.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
WEBSITES (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/roman_entertainment.htm
. Year: 4/6/13
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. Title: History and Learning
. http://library.thinkquest.org/26602/entertainment.htm
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. Date viewed: 25/9/13
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. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Roman_bathing
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. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome
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. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_theatre_(structure)
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BOOKS (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
TITLE: Life, Death and Entertainment in the Roman Empire
PUBLISHER: Macmillan, 15/4/1999
AUTHOR: David Stone
ISBN: ISBN-10: 0472085689
. I USED ADDITIONAL NOTES FROM THE CLASS INFORMATION BOOKLET: “GLADITORIAL COMBATS.”
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