seating for the Emporer, senators, knights, Vestal virgins, and women of the Imperial family. On .
the day of the event, there were about ten to twenty four races. Just like today there were many .
precautions taken before each race. The horses and the drivers were both checked to ensure .
that they had not been drugged, and were able to compete in the games. After each race the .
crowd was amused with acrobats, rope-dancers, and trick-riders. These amusements are the .
same amusements that go on in present day circuses. The overall winner of the races was .
decided in the final race, which each preliminary winner would compete. .
Another place Romans went for entertainment was the theater. The Roman theater was .
an important part of religious festivals. Theater performanes were given in honor of Greek and .
Roman gods. Although the theater was respected, it did not provide the Romans with the same .
intensity as the chariot races and the gladiator battles. Admission into the theater was free, so the .
upper and the lower class could come and enjoy. The seating was a on first come, first serve .
basis. But the best seats were resevered for the upper class. The Romans enjoyed comedies most .
of all. Costumes, masks, and wigs were an important part of Roman theater. Costumes colors .
told spectators who the actors were portraying. In their society women were not actresses, .
female roles were played by men dressed up as females. .
The most relaxing entertainment the people of Rome had was going to the baths. They .
went to the baths for healing or just to get clean. The baths were huge buildings built at public .
expense or by rich emporers who wished ti impress their subjects. Sometimes rich Romans who .
were trying to gain popularity paid entry for a whole day for anyone wishing to visit the baths. .
Most of the baths were free but those baths that had a fee had the fee to keep out the slaves and .
the poor who could not afford it.
