ROMAN LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMNET

Pastimes ■The Romans did enjoy leisure time. Patricians and plebeians alike enjoyed the many different pastimes on offer –Gladiator fighting –Chariot racing –Wrestling –Hunting –Fishing –Gambling –Board games –Dance –Music –Poetry –The baths

3 What are these buildings? What were they used for?

4 Where do we go to be entertained?

5 Much difference? Wembley Stadium – Home of English Football Colosseum – largest Roman arena in Europe 70 – 90 AD 2014

Colosseum ■Also known as an amphitheatre ■Circular in shape the Colosseum in Rome was built in 70C.E. ■Can hold between 50,000 and 80,000 people ■Largest ever built in the world ■Many events and sports took place here –Gladiator fights –Dramas/plays –Animal hunts –Mock sea battles –Executions

7 Violence Bloodshed Gladiator Slaves Criminals Civilised entertainment? Fight to the death

8 Who were the Gladiators? ■ Slaves, criminals, prisoners of war or paid professional fighters. ■ The gladiators would train/exercise every day to help prepare them for fights. ■ If they won a lot of fights they would earn money which they could use to buy their freedom.

9 Murmillo Retarius Hoplomachus The Hoplomachus carried a small round shield and a spear to thrust at his opponent. His upper legs were heavily protected. He had a tall crescent shaped crest on his helmet. The Retiarius was the most vulnerable fighter. He only had a shoulder guard to protect him He carried a net to try and whip, catch or trip his opponent and would use a trident or dagger to attack. The Murmillo was a heavyweight Gladiator carrying a large oblong Shield and a sword. He protected his left leg from his shield and his opponent. He has a helmet with a fin as this is where his name originates.

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Drawing from Pompeii

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13 The Games ■ Some gladiator fights were part of a big event called ‘the games’. ■ These games would take place in the Colosseum in Rome. ■ 50,000 people could watch the games. ■ Gladiators would fight against animals and then finally it would be time for gladiator fights.

14 Your task ■ Imagine that you are a reporter at a Gladiator contest. ■ Write a newspaper report talking about the event and who won. ■ Make it exciting but informative.

Circus Maximus ■Chariot racing stadium in Rome ■Religious festivals held here ■Accommodated 150,000 spectators ■Measures 621m length and 118m wide ■Originally built from wood but fires burned it down ■Men, women, rich and poor could attend the races ■Free admission ■Romans loved to gamble ■Many built across the Roman empire

Circus Maximus video tour ■

Circus Maximus B.C.E.today

THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS

CIRCUS MAXIMUS ■Over 500 metres long. ■Could hold up to 250,000 people. ■A central spine or island in the middle.

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Persecution of Christians

■Ludi (public games) ranged in duration and scope from one-day or even half-day events to spectacular multi-venue celebrations held over several days, with religious ceremonies and public feasts, horse and chariot racing, athletics, plays and recitals, beast- hunts and gladiator contests. ■These greater ludi at the Circus began with a flamboyant parade (pompa circensis), much like the triumphal procession, which marked the purpose of the games and introduced the participants

Roman Entertainment ■Chariot races were held in the circus or hippodrome. Chariots pulled by two or four horses raced around a track. ■Teams of racers had their own supporters, like football teams have today.

■Chariots were organized in four main teams – Red, White, Blue and Green. Each team had its own scouts for finding talented riders and horses, and each team was passionately supported. Like sports fans throughout history, a team’s fans were fiercely partisan and would hope for rival teams to fail. This became so common that curse tablets were made to spook the opposing teams. But not everyone was such a fan. Like the gladiators, chariot races were popular sports for the Roman masses, not the social elites, who disliked the mob behaviour of the fans and found the sport unremarkable and childish (Pliny being an example)

■Teams –Red –White –Blue –Green ■12 chariots –2 / 4 horse

■Races were rough and raucous – they lasted seven laps and would include as many as 12 chariots at any one time. To be as fast as possible, the chariots had to be very light, which made them very dangerous for their drivers, who were usually slaves. Many drivers were thrown from a broken or overturned chariot. They could then be trampled and killed by the charging horses, or get caught in the reins and dragged to their deaths. Given the dangerous nature of the sport, chariot racing was very expensive. However, its popularity meant that it was also very profitable, and over time, it became highly organized into an early form of show business.

Roman Entertainment ■Roman theatres could hold thousands of people. Actors were popular stars, just like they are today. ■They wore masks so they could be seen from the back seats. The plays were comedies to make people laugh or serious tragedies.