Entertainment in Ancient Rome: A Glimpse into Roman Leisure and Festivities

Updated on: 30 December 2024
Reading time: 4 minutes

Roman entertainment was diverse, offering numerous activities and celebrations. Romans enjoyed many holidays—there were 180 holidays during the early empire, when citizens often refrained from working. Later, Emperor Marcus Aurelius reduced the number to 135 to boost the economy. However, within a century, the number of holidays increased to 200 days! Most of these were religious in nature, involving visits to temples for offerings, with priests leading processions through the streets.

Roman Amphitheatre

The Roman amphitheatre was a central hub of entertainment. Here, Romans watched gladiators battle wild animals, fight one another, or even witness Christians being devoured by lions. Gladiatorial combat sometimes re-enacted historical battles. For instance, the Colosseum in Rome, which could accommodate 50,000 spectators and was funded by spoils from the first Roman-Jewish war, staged naval battles. It was flooded with water to allow gladiators to re-enact these events, often fighting to the death.

Gladiator fighting a lion in an ancient Roman amphitheatre

Roman stadium

Another popular venue was the Roman stadium (circus), where chariot races drew massive crowds. Much like modern NASCAR or Formula One races, these events were thrilling and intense. Although little remains of the Circus Maximus in Rome, which seated 250,000 spectators, visitors can still appreciate its size and layout, as portions of the track are visible today.

Rome had eight stadiums dedicated to chariot racing. The lightweight chariots, designed for a single standing driver, were drawn by up to four horses, achieving incredible speeds. Crashes were common; the charioteer would be thrown from the chariot, often suffering severe injuries. The movie Ben Hur vividly depicts these dramatic races.

Roman Baths

Visiting the thermae (public baths) was another favourite pastime for Romans. They typically went after work, around 3 or 4 p.m., and spent several hours socializing with friends. For more details, check out our page about Roman baths.

Roman theatre

Romans also attended theatres, many of which still exist today. These semi-circular structures featured rows of seating for thousands of spectators, rising from the base where the orchestra was located. Behind the orchestra stood the stage, where actors performed plays, often tied to religious festivals honouring the gods. The performances included comedies, farces, tragedies, and pantomimes. The atmosphere was lively—spectators frequently chatted during plays and occasionally threw objects at actors if they disliked the performance!

The Campus

The campus was a large recreational area for sports and physical activities such as running, wrestling, boxing, and fencing. Some games involved throwing a ball high and catching it before it hit the ground. After exercising, Romans would refresh themselves in the Tiber River or relax at the thermae.

Dinner parties

Dinner parties in the triclinium were a significant aspect of Roman social life, often lasting hours. Guests reclined on sloping couches arranged around a table and ate with their hands. Entertainment such as plays or dancing was sometimes provided. Wealthy Romans often stayed late, using oil lamps to light their gatherings. Poorer Romans, unable to afford oil lamps, tended to retire early. For more about the triclinium, visit our page on Roman food.

Shopping

The Forum served as the primary shopping and socializing area. It housed shops selling everything from food to jewellery. Rome also had shopping malls, some catering exclusively to wealthy citizens with luxury goods.

Board Games

Romans enjoyed various board games, many of which have been discovered by archaeologists. Unfortunately, the rules of these games remain a mystery. Some used dice, much like modern games. Board games were especially popular with soldiers, who used them to pass the time.

Interesting Facts About Roman Entertainment

Many forms of entertainment, such as the Colosseum events, theatre performances, and chariot races, were free. The Roman government often covered costs to appease the populace.
Wealthy Romans seeking the gods’ favour sometimes funded theatre productions.
Theatre actors were always men; female actors did not exist. Acting was a low-paid and often disreputable profession.
Some Roman festivals are still celebrated today. For instance, Valentine's Day evolved from Lupercalia, a festival honouring Venus, the goddess of love.
Slaves were allowed to attend the Colosseum and circus to watch events like chariot races.
Women were excluded from certain forms of entertainment, such as sports in the campus.