Entertainment in Rome was a big part for romans and for the community. The entertainment such as gladiator fights, and chariot races that kept the lower and upper class of Rome occupied. The entertainment kept the lower class, plebians, out of riots and street fights.
One of the most famous places that the Romans went to for entertainment was the Colosseum. The Colloseum is now a huge tourist attraction. It could fit up to 50k people. The romans were known for making lots of new ideas, as we know, Rome can get very hot, so when it was a scorching hot day, the people who worked at the Colloseum would put a canopy over it when needed so that the people would stay cool. The Colloseum was home to many events, most of them including death.
All sorts of animals were kept in cages below the Colosseum. Wild cats, buffaloes, bears and elephants would all be kept and then made to fight one another. In some parts of the Roman Empire, certain animals died out because they were in such high demand. It is thought that on the day the Colosseum opened, over 5,000 animals were killed. Animals were not part of the main show in the Colosseum, they were known as the secondary performance. When 2 gladiators were fighting, one man could be fighting with a sword and shield, and another man could be fighting with a trident.
Famous gladiators had lots of support, but really, they were there to be killed. Most gladiators were slaves or prisoners. Nearly 50% of gladiators died each show. Gladiators who fought well, but did not win could be spared by the emperor if he was at the event, a thumbs up by the emperor meant life, and a thumbs down by the emperor meant death.
These shows were usually free to the public. The emperors believed it was a good way to keep the people of Ancient Rome happy and content with the way the city was being governed. The government provided free bread and free entertainment - a combination they believed would keep happy the many unemployed people in Rome.
Most people in Roman times did not have much spare time. They were too busy working. They liked games though. Soldiers often played board games with counters and dice. Counters and boards for their games have been found. Hunting was also popular. People hunted animals for fun as well as for food. The Romans introduced fallow deer to Britain, just for hunting. Some things the Romans did for fun were horrible. They enjoyed fights between gladiators, and fights between people and animals. These bloodthirsty shows were put on in front of crowds in large arenas called amphitheaters. Roman emperors paid for free shows at theatres and amphitheaters. It was a good way to make themselves popular.
In Rome there was a stadium called the Circus Maximus, used for chariot races. Chariot races were held in Britain too. These were some of the most exciting races in Ancient Rome, but were also some of the most dangerous. Chariots were small two-wheeled carts, driven by one man and pulled by four horses. They raced around an oval track. Very often, there would be crashes and smashes during the 7 lap races.
One of the most famous places that the Romans went to for entertainment was the Colosseum. The Colloseum is now a huge tourist attraction. It could fit up to 50k people. The romans were known for making lots of new ideas, as we know, Rome can get very hot, so when it was a scorching hot day, the people who worked at the Colloseum would put a canopy over it when needed so that the people would stay cool. The Colloseum was home to many events, most of them including death.
All sorts of animals were kept in cages below the Colosseum. Wild cats, buffaloes, bears and elephants would all be kept and then made to fight one another. In some parts of the Roman Empire, certain animals died out because they were in such high demand. It is thought that on the day the Colosseum opened, over 5,000 animals were killed. Animals were not part of the main show in the Colosseum, they were known as the secondary performance. When 2 gladiators were fighting, one man could be fighting with a sword and shield, and another man could be fighting with a trident.
Famous gladiators had lots of support, but really, they were there to be killed. Most gladiators were slaves or prisoners. Nearly 50% of gladiators died each show. Gladiators who fought well, but did not win could be spared by the emperor if he was at the event, a thumbs up by the emperor meant life, and a thumbs down by the emperor meant death.
These shows were usually free to the public. The emperors believed it was a good way to keep the people of Ancient Rome happy and content with the way the city was being governed. The government provided free bread and free entertainment - a combination they believed would keep happy the many unemployed people in Rome.
Most people in Roman times did not have much spare time. They were too busy working. They liked games though. Soldiers often played board games with counters and dice. Counters and boards for their games have been found. Hunting was also popular. People hunted animals for fun as well as for food. The Romans introduced fallow deer to Britain, just for hunting. Some things the Romans did for fun were horrible. They enjoyed fights between gladiators, and fights between people and animals. These bloodthirsty shows were put on in front of crowds in large arenas called amphitheaters. Roman emperors paid for free shows at theatres and amphitheaters. It was a good way to make themselves popular.
In Rome there was a stadium called the Circus Maximus, used for chariot races. Chariot races were held in Britain too. These were some of the most exciting races in Ancient Rome, but were also some of the most dangerous. Chariots were small two-wheeled carts, driven by one man and pulled by four horses. They raced around an oval track. Very often, there would be crashes and smashes during the 7 lap races.