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Roman Life – Entertainment<br />
Public entertainment in the amphitheatres,<br />
A retiarius<br />
circuses and theatres was an important<br />
part of life in <strong>Rome</strong>. Juvenal, a Roman writer<br />
who often criticised Roman society, wrote that<br />
ordinary citizens were only interested in ‘bread<br />
and circuses’. Ruling magistrates and<br />
emperors used the games in the<br />
amphitheatres as a means of gaining votes<br />
during elections and also to keep the Roman<br />
population under control. The spectacular<br />
games cost enormous sums of money but<br />
admission was free.<br />
A bestiarius<br />
(fought animals)<br />
A murmillo<br />
Amphitheatres<br />
Different kinds of shows were presented in these huge structures with rows of seats overlooking an arena. <strong>Rome</strong>’s<br />
Colosseum is believed to have held over 50 000 spectators, who watched bloodshed for amusement as<br />
gladiators or groups of slaves fought to the death. Many gladiators were trained in gladiatorial schools<br />
and included slaves, criminals condemned to death or prisoners of war. Sometimes, trained women<br />
slaves fought in the arena and unarmed Christians were forced to face wild animals. A losing<br />
gladiator was judged by the spectators. If he had fought well he received<br />
the ‘thumbs up’ sign, but a ‘thumbs down’ sign meant death.<br />
Successful gladiators were crowd favourites and could become rich<br />
or win freedom from slavery. The gladiators fought wild animals on<br />
foot or occasionally from horseback. At first, fights with wild beasts<br />
took place in the mornings and public executions at noon, while<br />
fights between gladiators were held in the afternoons. Over the years,<br />
<strong>Rome</strong>’s Colosseum today.<br />
these arrangements changed.<br />
Activity Box<br />
1. Who criticised the Roman citizens?<br />
2. Why did emperors pay for the games?<br />
3. Which gladiators could become rich?<br />
4. When were public executions?<br />
5. What did a bestiarius fight?<br />
6. Where were gladiators trained?<br />
7. Give your own definition of ‘freedom’.<br />
8. The area where gladiators fought was the<br />
9. Which gladiator used a three-pronged spear?<br />
Viewing Sample<br />
10. Who faced animals without weapons?<br />
11. List three things you don’t like about the<br />
Roman forms of public entertainment:<br />
(a)<br />
(b)<br />
(c)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing www.prim-ed.com <strong>Ancient</strong> <strong>Rome</strong> – 47 –
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