Importance of Roman Games Essay Example for Free

Importance of Roman Games Essay The Roman games featured as an important and significant part of roman society, this being a way in which the Gladiatorial games were held in honour of the Gods and was a way in which they celebrated, it established a social hierarchy in Roman society. Roman games played a significant part in roman life; this can be seen through the study of a number of paintings and drawings, sculptures, mosaics and other artefacts. The games played numerous roles such as too appease the people, to demonstrate the wealth and power of the empire, to uphold social control and to act as a communication source between the emperor and the people. The Colosseum was the centre point of the Roman games and was the biggest arena, its construction started in 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and the construction finished in 80 AD under Titus. The Colosseum is the best archaeological source regarding the Roman games and is considered to be one of the greatest works of Roman architecture. The arena could seat up to 50,000 spectators and was the centre point of the Gladiatorial games. The games provided the emperor with a way in which he could communicate with the society of Rome, The Colosseum and Circus Maximus were the only two places that a large number of Plebeians could assemble collectively legally. The whole of the spectators would be able to communicate with the emperor, this being to display their attitudes and complaints against the emperor, members of the imperial family and other prominent people. There crowds feedback would be boos or cheers to display positive or negative feeling towards authority. The emperor provided the arena events to entertain and a way in which The roman games was a way in which society could be entertained and the emperor used it to up held common values such as loyalty, servitude and honour. The games were used to demonstrate the power of the emperor and it made him much more popular and in return he received gratitude from society In such a cultural climate it is not surprising that gladiatorial games were immensely popular and a characteristic symbol of Roman culture for almost seven centuries. It may be no accident that the most dramatic increase in the popularity of gladiatorial games occurred during the first two centuries AD, when the Augustan peace throughout the empire provided little opportunity for citizens to participate in real warfare. The Roman games were the Emperors gift to society a way in which he could show he’s generosity to the people of Rome. The way in which to pay for these games were by apprehending wealth from possessing land and the overthrow of other people, this is why the games were free and it balanced the massive wealth of the Roman emperors. The Roman emperors also used the games as a way that they could be remembered for their generosity.