Roman Games Research Paper

Ludi Romani, the authentic terms used in referring to the Roman Games, were originally a religious festival held annually within Rome starting in 226 B.C.E. These ‘games’, which were initially introduced in the form of shows or dramas, were quickly transformed into much more than that, events such as chariot races, boxing, theatrical performances and most notoriously, gladiator battles. The installation of the Roman games were founded under two underlying principles. The first being that the Romans instigated the Ludi Romai as an annual gesture of appreciation and remembrance to the early Roman victories. While the second reason, which also relates to the origin of these games, was in honor of the god Jupiter. At first the games were a one-day event, held on the 13th of September and were not celebrated every year. But starting in 226 B.C.E the games became an annual affair, and transformed into a four-day event by 214 B.C.E, and eventually added an additional nine days to the games, making it last a total of fifteen days. …show more content…
Romans had a great deal of passion that ran high when it came to chariot racing, theatrical performances and most certainly gladiator battles. As bloody, vulgar and tragic as the outcome of these fights possessed they were glorifying to a citizen, to them it was more than just a fight to the death, it was a event that had much more meaning to it. The skill, ambiance and drama that went into gladiator fighting were something that was so appealing to any tier of a Roman citizen from the rich all the way to the poor, gladiator fights were the most celebrated event that took place in the Roman games. Although entry into the games was free, it was a citizens right to see the games, not a