Juxtaposition: Roman Public Entertainment

Jackie Sparagna Gregory Sumi

Roman Public Entertainment: A Juxtaposition Between the Circus and Amphitheater

Public entertainment was a crucial component of Roman culture and identity in the ancient world. Thousands of fanatical fans would gather in numerous venues which hosted exciting games and events to cheer on their favorite competitors, curse their rivals, and celebrate their victories. The circus and the amphitheater were the prime structures which displayed gladiatorial fights, chariot racing, executions, and wild beast hunts. The progression in the building of these venues displayed how social status and political power were enormous factors in public displays. The seating in both
Before amphitheaters were built, gladiator combats were held at cemeteries. “Indeed, it was the custom to kill captives at the graves of powerful men; because this, in later days, seemed cruel, it was decided to have gladiators fight before the grave, gladiators who were called “Bustiari” for the tombs (busti).” (Servius, On the Aenied 10.519) However, over time, shows were not held exclusively in a funerary context, which moved these combats to the Forum Roman, a rectangular area bounded by basilicas for seating. However, “as a performance space, the forum has certain limitations, including a diminished seating capacity, even if sponsors erected temporary bleachers, the presence of monumental public buildings restricted the height and capacity of these structures… the difficulty of guaranteeing spectator safety also restricted the use of wild animals to small numbers of relatively docile and diminutive types for Forum shows.” (Futrell, 55-56) Therefore, new permanent amphitheaters were in need. These new structures needed to have thousands of seats, support for the seating, and isolated areas to keep gladiators and animals before
The structure was small and relatively private compared to other venues, but the political value of the amphitheater was vast. “In the fourth consulship of Augustus Caesar, Statilius constructed a stone hunting theater in the Campus Martius at his own expense and celebrated its completion with gladiatorial combats. Because of this he was allowed by the people to choose one of the praetors every year.” (Dio Cassius 51.23) If this small and seemingly insignificant structure was so politically important and appreciated by the public, one can only imagine the social and political effect the larger structures had on ancient Rome. Amphitheaters were commonly built outside urban areas because they took up so much space; however, some were located inside city walls for security purposes. Amphitheaters were elliptical rather than circular. Their arenas were oval-shaped and completely surrounded by seating. This shape provides better angles for the public than ordinary