was reserved 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. Some of t...
