1. ROMAN GAMES: COLISEUM, GLADIATORS AND THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS

2. CIRCUS GAMES  Circus games took place in the spectacular festivals and amphitheaters. They were astoundingly remarkable, but they were also extremely gruesome events.  Chariot games were the most supported and well-known Circus Games.  The public respected the top drivers, and they could easily be compared to modern day sports stars.  A great percentage of the drivers were slaves, but there were also some professional drivers.  The chariots were built for speed and they were designed to be extremely lightweight but, not known for their safety.

3. PICS OF CIRCUS GAMES

4. SCENE FROM BEN HUR  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoyAV1WTtBc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoyAV1WTtBc  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AAHljDbGtA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AAHljDbGtA

5. GLADIATOR GAMES  Just like modern day sporting events, there is more to the game than just the game, there are characters involved and the personal drama complimented with technical skill and determination.  The tradition of the gladiator games were actually not a roman invention!!!  The first recorded gladiatorial game occurred in honor of Junius Brutus in 264 BC.  The first fight in Rome was in the Forum Boarium aka the meat markets on the banks of the Tiber River.  In Rome entry to the games was free.  It was a citizen’s right to see the games, not a luxury.

6. GLADIATOR GAME PICS

7. GLADIATORS  They were usually criminals, slaves, and prisoners of war.  They had no choice about becoming gladiators, of course, only if they had the physical and emotional character traits necessary to become a gladiator.  The conditions in which they lived in were harsh but, were better than the average citizen.  A gladiator would not fight more than 2 to 3 times a year.  Gladiators would have a chance at fame and wealth just as the modern athletes enjoy today.

8. GLADIATOR PICS

9. GLADIATORS LIVE!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyPLh0k4mBA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyPLh0k4mBA

10. THE ROMAN COLISEUM  It is the greatest amphitheater of the ancient times.  It was the largest amphitheater was permanent and placed in the center of Rome.  It’s construction started between 70-72 AD.  The original Latin name of it was "Amphitheatrum Flavium“.  The amphitheater is still considered an engineering and architectural feat and it remains the symbol of Rome.

11. COLISEUM PICS

12. COLISEUM RECONSTRUCTED  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sLy5VCMuKM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sLy5VCMuKM

13. CIRCUS MAXIMUS  The Circus Maximus was made for chariot racing, but other events were held such as gladiator games.  It could hold up to 150,000 citizens which is a quite enormous amount of people back in the ancient world compared to today.  Chariot drivers could win extreme wealth but, only the freemen.  The Charioteers competed for the colors of the four factions: White, Green, Blue, and Red.  The Chariot races in Circus Maximus aroused an enormous enthusiasm in the Romans.

14. CIRCUS MAXIMUS PICS

15. CIRCUS MAXIMUS 3D  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aksOAH7dYsQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aksOAH7dYsQ