Entertainment
In Rome there were many ways that the people entertained themselves. By 100BC free entertainment was provided for the people on 159 days of the year. Two of the most popular forms were watching gladiator fighting and going to the theatre.
Gladiator Fighting
Gladiator fights took place in the colosseum. This building took eight years to build, from 72AD to 80AD and it had 80 entrances. It could hold up to 80,000 people, seating 50,000 and having room for another 30,000 to stand. Many spectators came to watch the event.
Gladiators were forced to fight to the death between each other or with vicious animals such as lions, elephants and wolves. Most gladiators were unwilling, usually slaves, criminals or prisoners. The most popular gladiators who won many fights became famous and sometimes were given freedom after a time to train new gladiators.
Gladiators could be male or female, and there were many different types. Most fought on foot but some, such as the equite, fought on horseback. Some gladiators were heavily armoured, while some almost naked. Armour worn by gladiators is sometimes found today. There was even a type of gladiator called an andabatae. They wore helmets with no holes to see and were pushed towards each other, wildly swinging their weapons.
Another type of gladiator was a retiarius, armed with a short dagger, trident, and weighted net. Their only armour was an arm guard. There were also murmillos, who wore a broad brimmed helmet, protected their right arm with armour and left leg with padding and a metal greave. They used a large curved shield and a short straight sword. Secutors used a short or sword or dagger and a shield. Their armour included a helmet and covering for his right arm and left leg. A thraex carried a short curved sword and a small shield. He wore a helmet, padded for his upper legs and greaves on his lower legs.
Gladiators were forced to fight to the death between each other or with vicious animals such as lions, elephants and wolves. Most gladiators were unwilling, usually slaves, criminals or prisoners. The most popular gladiators who won many fights became famous and sometimes were given freedom after a time to train new gladiators.
Gladiators could be male or female, and there were many different types. Most fought on foot but some, such as the equite, fought on horseback. Some gladiators were heavily armoured, while some almost naked. Armour worn by gladiators is sometimes found today. There was even a type of gladiator called an andabatae. They wore helmets with no holes to see and were pushed towards each other, wildly swinging their weapons.
Another type of gladiator was a retiarius, armed with a short dagger, trident, and weighted net. Their only armour was an arm guard. There were also murmillos, who wore a broad brimmed helmet, protected their right arm with armour and left leg with padding and a metal greave. They used a large curved shield and a short straight sword. Secutors used a short or sword or dagger and a shield. Their armour included a helmet and covering for his right arm and left leg. A thraex carried a short curved sword and a small shield. He wore a helmet, padded for his upper legs and greaves on his lower legs.
Theatres
There were many theatres in Rome, some rooved and some not. Plays were performed there several times a year at festivals. On these special occasions, all shops were closed and no business was done as nearly everyone rushed to see the performance. Many people brought cushions because the many seats were made of stone and food and water for the day. Some large theatres could hold up to 5000 people and a performance in the theatre consisted of many plays, lasting the whole day.
One of the most popular kinds of performances was a pantomime, a mixture of opera and ballet. The plot was often taken form ancient Greek myths and the actors were normally Greek slaves and freedmen. Another popular performance was a comedy, a short one act play often put on the end of a longer performance. These plays were about Roman country life and the actors wore masks.
One of the most popular kinds of performances was a pantomime, a mixture of opera and ballet. The plot was often taken form ancient Greek myths and the actors were normally Greek slaves and freedmen. Another popular performance was a comedy, a short one act play often put on the end of a longer performance. These plays were about Roman country life and the actors wore masks.