Roman Entertainment :: essays research papers

Roman Entertainment   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There were many things the Romans did for entertainment. Even though this entertainment was cruel and brutal it satisfied the Roman's need for excitment and relaxation. In Rome most people loved to watch others suffer and fight to their death. While others loved to go and get a good laugh at the theater or relax and talk about politics at the baths. In the city the state provided most of the entertainment. Outside of the city the people made their own entertainment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the places that the state provided for entertainment was the Colosseum. The Colosseum could seat up to about 50,000 people, upper and lower class. The lower class and women had to sit in the highest level of the Colosseum. The rich and upper class had the best seating and the easiest access to the Colosseum. Even though many people think that the Colosseum was used just for gladiatorial battles, the Colosseum was also filled water so the navy could work on its strategies. The gladiatorial battles usually took place from sunrise to sunset. The gladiators not only fought against other gladiators but also against wild beast such as lions, tigers, and many other dangerous animals. In the beginning, slaves were the main fighters in the arena. Then they realized that the slave population was not enough to continue the battles; so many criminals were sent to the gladiatorial schools. Since the criminals were getting sent to the gladiatorial schools to become a gladiator, criminals thought twice before commiting a crime.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another state provided form of entertainment was chariot racing. The chariot races were held in what was called The Circus Maximus. The chariot races held in the Circus Maximus were considered the most popular form of entertainment. The Circus Maximus' entertainment was much like the Colosseum, a visitor could come and stay all day. The Circus Maximus could seat as many as 255,000 spectators. Men and women could sit together, but there was reserved seating for the Emporer, senators, knights, Vestal virgins, and women of the Imperial family. On the day of the event, there were about ten to twenty four races. Just like today there were many precautions taken before each race. The horses and the drivers were both checked to ensure that they had not been drugged, and were able to compete in the games. After each race the crowd was amused with acrobats, rope-dancers, and trick-riders.