ROMAN GAMES: COLISEUM, GLADIATORS AND THE

CIRCUS MAXIMUS

By: Adam Slattum and Eric

Allen

CIRCUS GAMES 

Circus games took place in the spectacular festivals and amphitheaters. They were astoundingly remarkable, but they were also extremely gruesome events.

Chariot games were the most supported and well-known Circus Games.

The public respected the top drivers, and they could easily be compared to modern day sports stars.

A great percentage of the drivers were slaves, but there were also some professional drivers.

The chariots were built for speed and they were designed to be extremely lightweight but, not known for their safety.

PICS OF CIRCUS GAMES

GLADIATOR GAMES

Just like modern day sporting events, there is more to the game than just the game, there are characters involved and the personal drama complimented with technical skill and determination.

The tradition of the gladiator games were actually not a roman invention!!!

The first recorded gladiatorial game occurred in honor of Junius Brutus in 264 BC.

The first fight in Rome was in the Forum Boarium aka the meat markets on the banks of the Tiber River.

In Rome entry to the games was free.

It was a citizen’s right to see the games, not a luxury.

GLADIATOR GAME PICS

GLADIATORS

They were usually criminals, slaves, and prisoners of war.

They had no choice about becoming gladiators, of course, only if they had the physical and emotional character traits necessary to become a gladiator.

The conditions in which they lived in were harsh but, were better than the average citizen.

A gladiator would not fight more than 2 to 3 times a year.

Gladiators would have a chance at fame and wealth just as the modern athletes enjoy today.

GLADIATOR PICS

THE ROMAN COLISEUM

It is the greatest amphitheater of the ancient times. It was the largest amphitheater was permanent and

placed in the center of Rome. It’s construction started between 70-72 AD.

The original Latin name of it was "Amphitheatrum

Flavium“. The amphitheater is still considered an engineering

and architectural feat and it remains the symbol of Rome.

COLISEUM PICS

CIRCUS MAXIMUS

The Circus Maximus was made for chariot racing, but other events were held such as gladiator games.

It could hold up to 150,000 citizens which is a quite enormous amount of people back in the ancient world compared to today.

Chariot drivers could win extreme wealth but, only the freemen.

The Charioteers competed for the colors of the four factions: White, Green, Blue, and Red.

The Chariot races in Circus Maximus aroused an enormous enthusiasm in the Romans.

CIRCUS MAXIMUS PICS

WORKS CITED

http://www.roman-empire.net/society/soc-games.html

http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/classics/gladiatr/

http://abacus.bates.edu/~mimber/Rciv/gladiator.htm

http://www.colosseum.net/

CREDITS

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