Ancient Rome Entertainment and Games

When people think of Ancient Rome they just think of the wars and violence that went on during the time period, but that was not the case at all. People in Ancient times knew how to enjoy themselves on their free time. Their games and entertainment had many multiple similarities to todays games and entertainment. Most of ancient Rome's sports and activities were held at the Campus Martius, which was a floodplain that was made for these sports and activities, very similar to modern day stadiums.In the Campus Maritus they held sports such as boxing, wrestling, horseback riding, and next to the Campus Maritus was the Tibis River, where they held swimming competitions and fishing. They even had hunting games which was competed between Roman elites and they had their sons with them to teach them marksmanship. Ancient Rome found ways to occupy their time whenever their not working or battling. In a court they had called palaestra, they held games such as handball, field hockey, soccer, dodge ball and catching games and we have more similar games  just like this to this day. Ancient Rome even had board games with dice, Latrunculi which was Roman chess, tic-tac-toe, knucklebones and all. Board games are still popular to this day and are still very similar to Ancient Rome's games. They even had entertainment for the public, entrainment that is similar today and also entertainment that illegal today. In arenas around Rome they held chariot races, musicals, theaters and also illegal entertainment such as beasts hunts, public executions, and combat between gladiators. These gladiators were mainly prisoners, criminals or slaves and they would fight to death most times.

They were given special weapons to have more cutting and bleeding because thats what the public wanted to see. Although the Romans had good positive entertainment, they still had they violent ways as well with the entertainment. Ancient Rome had many more ways of entertainment that was unique and carried over to todays society. This shows that people were always competitive and entertaining.

Athletics, Leisure, and Entertainment in Ancient Rome.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, www.ancient.eu/article/98/athletics-leisure-and-entertainment-in-ancient-rom/. 

“Gladiators, Chariots, and the Roman Games.” Ushistory.org, Independence Hall Association, www.ushistory.org/civ/6e.asp.

Ancient Roman Recreation & Sports - Crystalinks, www.crystalinks.com/romerecreation.html.