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Roman Entertainment
By: Jessica Latten
Mr. Hayes
Period 2
Roman Entertainment
The ancient Romans enjoyed watching,
and playing all different events. Most of
these events were free, so poor people
could attend them as well as the rich.
Large open air theaters were used for the
performances. Events were scheduled
throughout the day, morning and night.
Events in the Coliseum
• The main type of
entertainment in Ancient
Roman Times was found
in the Coliseum.
• Animals, professional
gladiators, condemned
criminals and slaves
fought each other until
death.
• These events included:
 Gladiator fights
 Mock naval battles
 Exotic animal fights
• During the mock naval
battles, the heavy
wooden flooring would be
removed, and the lower
cells would be flooded.
• Animals such as lions,
elephants, snakes and
panthers were
massacred in the battles
between two animals,
and the battles between
man and animal.
The Coliseum
Coliseum
• Aside from common
belief, the crowd would,
when asked by the
emperor “Live or Die?” a
thumbs up motion would
mean yes, let him live,
and side to side, would
mean to let him die.
• The sand in the coliseum
was dyed with red clay,
so the blood would blend
in, and not gross
spectators out.
Circus Maximus
• The Circus Maximus was primarily used for chariot
racing. However, it was used occasionally for hunts or
mock battles.
• The Circus was the site of public games and festivals
influenced by the Greeks in the 2nd century B.C.
• The track measured 600 meters in length and 225
meters in width.
Chariot Racing in the Circus
Maximus
• It was the most popular
sport in Rome.
• There was no public
gambling on the races.
• To follow what was going
on, spectators would
watch the egg or dolphin
counters, It showed how
many laps were left.
Roman Games
• Track and Field games
took place at the
Campus.
• Men participated in foot
racing, jumping, archery,
wrestling, and boxing.
• All over Rome, men
participated in riding,
fencing, wrestling,
throwing and swimming.
• Before dinner, men
played ball, which were
games of throwing and
catching.
• One game of ball was
they would throw the ball
as high as they could and
then catch it before it hit
the ground.
• No women joined in these
games.
The Theatre
• The Roman theatres were popular at night.
• The theaters were all outside to avoid problems
with lighting and sound.
• The audience was usually more interested in
their favorite actors then the play itself.
• To win the audience praise’s the actors would
were decorative masks, costumes, dancing and
mime.
Roman Entertainment
THE END
Jessica Latten