Ancient Roman Entertainment

In ancient Roman time entertainment was very important in free time with activities including games, dining, chariot racing, and public baths. In ancient Rome events were held at The Colosseum, Circus Maximus, and the Campus Martius. The Colosseum held many gladiatorial battles and sometimes flooded with water for naval battles. The Circus Maximus was usually where chariot races would be held. Circus Maximus could hold about 250,000 people. Campus Martius was originally used for military training, but later transformed to a place for public baths and theaters.

In these times events such as dining experience was different with the wealthy and the poor. Wealthy Romans were able to host their own dinners at home, while less well-off citizens either had to be invited by wealthy Romans or had to eat and drink at bars. One writer says “Philo swears that he has never dined at home, and

When you think of a public bath you think of a public place to relax and clean your body. In ancient Roman public baths served as spas, exercise rooms for things such as swimming, jogging, and working out. “I hear the grunts of musclemen exercising and jerking those heavy weights around; they are working hard, or pretending to. I hear their sharp hissing when they release their pent breath. If there happens to be a lazy fellow content with a simple massage I hear the slap of hand on shoulder; you can tell whether it's hitting a flat or a hollow. If a ball-player comes up and starts calling out his score, I'm done for. Add to this the racket of a cocky bastard, a thief caught in the act, and a fellow who likes the sound of his own voice in the bath, plus those who plunge into the pool with a huge splash of water.” (Seneca the Younger, Letters 56.1) Seneca is showing the events he can hear from his home which is atop the public bath everything from swimming to