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
 Thanks for Watching 