Roman Games

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus was the first king to be a great promoter of the Roman games. He outlined the area that would become the Circus Maximus for the chariot and foot races. Later on the Coliseum and other amphitheaters were built as an arena for watching all of the other games that were held.

Types of Games

Morning-

Participants paraded in the amphitheater and animal “hunts” were held. Sometimes animals fought against gladiators other times they devoured defenseless criminals.

Afternoon- Gladiators fought against each other for the crowd’s entertainment.

Gladiators

The gladiatorial fights were the focus of the games. There were at least 25 different varieties of gladiators. Four examples of the most popular are: Semnite, Thracian, Retirius, Murmillo. Most of the Gladiators were slaves or criminal who were forced to fight.

They often fought to the death, but could appeal to the emperor for mercy if they had fought well. Sometimes the amphitheaters were flooded and gladiators fought each other on ships.