Definition of Roman Circus

The civilization of Ancient Rome is remembered for several reasons: the effectiveness of its army and the expansion of its empire, the consolidation of a legal system (the roman law) and a new way of understanding entertainment. If we focus on leisure, the Roman circus show is the historical antecedent of the great sporting events of today.

Bread and Circus

A part of the public money was destined to the entertainment of the town. Roman rulers considered this to be a good strategy so that the whole population was satisfied and domesticated. In popular language the expression "bread and circus" to remember that a large part of society only needs to meet their basic needs and have fun.

Gladiator fight and other shows

For the Romans the theater it was a cultural spectacle, while the circus was geared towards pure entertainment. The days at the circus were enlivened with music and with the participation jugglers and acrobats.

Before the show began, the participants paraded in front of the public in their best clothes.

The Roman circus is usually located in a valley, in which a sand track was set up and the slopes of the hills served as stands for the spectators. So that they were safe and protected, ditches with water were built.

One of the spectacles was the horse races drawn with carts and led by a charioteer who held the reins of the horses in one hand and a whip in the other. These races had two modalities: with four horses or quadrigae and with two horses or bigae.

The fights between wild animals or venationes were also very popular. In order for the beasts to be as aggressive as possible, they were prodded with stingers and even fire.

The fights between gladiators or ludi gladiatori were the most valued spectacle by the people

Most of the combatants were prisoners of war who had been trained in all kinds of killing techniques. Despite his slave status, the gladiator received a good salary and had great social prestige.

The fights were mostly to the death and could be carried out in different ways: in pairs, in groups or simulating two small armies.

All forms of entertainment integrated into the circus were part of the public ludi or public shows. In the private sphere, the Romans entertained themselves with other recreational activities: attending the hot springs, the launch discus or javelin, the great banquets or exercises in the arena.

Photo: Fotolia - Archivist