As the will of The Emperor couldn’t be announced. Commodus claims the throne of Rome to himself. The new Emperor asks Maximus for his loyalty, but the general refuses. The Emperor commended the general to be arrested and killing his family for his act. 

Before collapsing he buried his family. Later he is sold to a gladiator trainer named Proximo. 

Maximus fights in local tournaments and makes friends with two other gladiators: Juba, and Hagen.

Proximo told Maximus that in order to gained his freedom he must gain the crowds liking. 

Maximus was sent to fight at The Colosseum. Disguised by a masked helmet he show his debut as Carthaginian. As Maximum outstanding performance in the arena the Emperor himself congratulates and making him the leader of the gladiator. He reveals his face and announce vengeance upon the Emperor. 

With the help of his ex-orderly he plotted to escape Rome and join his soldiers to overthrow Commodus by force and hand the power back to the Roman Senates. The effort was later unsuccessful as they are fall into traps set up by the emperor. Maximus was captured

Emperor challenged him for a dual, however the Emperor cheated to gain upper hand. Maximus died fighting The Emperor. 

Before he dies, he asks for political reforms, for his gladiator allies to be freed, and for Senator Gracchus to be reinstated. 

 

 

The term aqueduct may also be used to refer to the entire watercourse, as well as the bridge. Large navigable aqueducts are used as transport links for boats or ships. Aqueducts must span a crossing at the same level as the watercourses on each end.

 

A Gladiator (Latin: gladiator, "swordsman", from gladius, "sword") was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their legal and social standing and their lives by appearing in the arena. Most were despised as slaves, schooled under harsh conditions, socially marginalized, and segregated even in death. Irrespective of their origin, gladiators offered audiences an example of Rome's martial ethics and, in fighting or dying well, they could inspire admiration and popular acclaim. They were celebrated in high and low art, and their value as entertainers was commemorated in precious and commonplace objects throughout the 

Roman world.

The origin of gladiatorial combat is open to debate (see next section). There is evidence of it in funeral rites during the Punic Wars of the 3rd century BCE, and thereafter it rapidly became an essential feature of politics and social life in the Roman world. Its popularity led to its use in ever more lavish and costly spectacles or "gladiatorial games". The games reached their peak between the 1st century BCE and the 2nd century CE, and they persisted not only throughout the social and economic crises of the declining Roman state but even after Christianity became the official religion in the 4th century CE. Christian emperors continued to sponsor such entertainments until at least the late 5th century CE, when the last known gladiator games took place 

 

People went to one of the big theatres in Rome to watch plays.

Because the audience would not stay quiet the actors had to wear costumes. The actors wore masks – brown for men, white for women, smiling or sad depending on the type of play. The costumes showed the audience who the person was – a purple gown for a rich man, a striped toga for a boy, a short cloak for a soldier, a red toga for a poor man, a short tunic for a slave etc.

Women were not allowed act, so their parts were normally played by a man or young boys wearing a white mask.

The actors spoke the lines, but a second actor mimed the gestures to fit the lines, such as feeling a pulse to show a sick person, making the shape of a lyre with fingers to show music. The plays were often violent and could result in the death of an actor by mistake.

Chariot racing is a very popular entertainment. The charioteers wore leather helmets, knee pads and shin pads. Their coloured tunics with sleeves were called “vests quadrigaria”. These men were usually slaves whose masters owned the chariots. When a race started usual trumpets started a tune as toot to to, men lost their life as being distracted by the tune.

The Roman amphitheatre was the centre of public entertainment in Rome, and all over the Roman Empire. People would go to the Amphitheatre to see men fighting wild beasts or each other. The Colosseum amphitheatres cousin is 1 of the 7 wonders of the world. 

The Hippodrome served as an ancient racetrack where ancient chariot races, athletic competitions were held. The hippodrome was a very popular an ancient building. Hippodrome was known to attract people to roman time. Romans sometimes adored the building.

The Roman Baths were like leisure centres for relaxment. They used to allow you to have abath for 2 hours. Before you went to the bath you would have a massage with oil. People chat with friends before exiting the bubble bath. Baths were not just 1 they were several.

Usual animals hunted is deer, hare, deer, elephant, panther, etc. Romans hunted birds while using traps, snares, bird calls and many more. Mars is god of war and hunting. Aucupium means bird catching. Venation means large scale hunt. 

Board games were the first entertainment that would come to mind. Board games needed counters but romans used pebbles. Roman board games include Knucklebones, Tic Tac Toe, Roman Chess and etc.

The structure has fallen into ruin, but even today it is an imposing and beautiful sight. Most people used to go see people fight but today may ne cruel. The Colosseum is 1 of the 7 wonders of the world. Sometimes gladiators fought animals such as kangaroos. Some women were forbidden to watch as they have a very pure heart. 

The events staged at the Colosseum were many. Nearly all of them involved death and destruction. There were the well known gladiator fights and the feeding of Christians to lions. There were also a number of lesser known events such as mock sea battles involving ships, animal circus acts, animals fighting animals and animal hunts.

All sorts of animals were kept in cages below the Colosseum. Wild cats, buffaloes, bears and elephants would all be kept and then made to fight one another. In some parts of the Roman Empire, certain animals died out because their type was in such demand by those who ran entertainment in Rome itself. It is thought that on the day the Colosseum opened, over 5,000 animals were killed.

However, animals were the secondary part of the ‘show’. Those who came to the Colosseum came to see people fight. Famous gladiators had a huge following but many gladiators were the Roman equivalent of ‘canon fodder’ – there to entertain and be killed. Many of these gladiators were slaves or prisoners-of-war. The casualty rate per ‘show’ was massive – near enough 50% died each show. Those gladiators who had fought well but had not won their fight could be spared by the emperor if he was present at an event – a thumbs up meant life, and a thumbs down meant death. The Roman writer Seneca wrote that for a gladiator “the only exit is death.”

These shows were usually free to the public. The emperors believed it was a good way to keep the people of Ancient Rome happy and content with the way the city was being governed. The government provided free bread and free entertainment – a combination they believed would keep happy the many unemployed people in Rome.

The circus used animals. They sometimes used hare blood to paint walls. Most romans got bores but had to go for children. The owner of the circus fired people every 12 hours. There were circuses in every city. 

Campus Martius mean field of war. Campus is the identity place for mars god of war. Campus is a building used primarily as a military exercise ground, it was drained. It was also a temple of Apollo. The Campus became Rome’s track and field playground. In the campus, the youth assembled to play and exercise, which included jumping, wrestling, boxing and racing. Riding, throwing, and swimming were also preferred physical activities. In the countryside, pastime also included fishing and hunting. Board games played in Rome included Dice (Tesserae or Tali), Roman Chess (Latrunculi), Roman Checkers (Calculi), Tic-tac-toe (Terni Lapilli), and Ludus duodecim scriptorum and Tabula, predecessors of backgammon. There were several other activities to keep people engaged like chariot races, musical and theatrical performances,

The Romans were also very fond of fish sauce called liquamen (also known as Garum).

Breakfast - ientaculum

The Romans ate a breakfast of bread or a wheat pancake eaten with dates and honey.

Lunch - prandium

At midday they ate a light meal of fish, cold meat, bread and vegetables. Often the meal consisted of the leftovers of the previous day's cena.

Dinner - cena - The main meal

What was eaten for dinner varied among classes. The poor might only eat a simple meal of vegetables and porridge, whereas the rich could enjoy such luxuries as several course meals and exotic food and wine.

Wheat was boiled to make the tasteless porridge. To add flavour to the porridge they often added flavourings and relishes as well as vegetables, herbs and a little meat. 

Rich Romans held elaborate dinner parties in the triclinium (dining room). These parties often lasted up to eight hours. The Romans did not sit on chairs around the table like we do today. Instead the adults lay on sloping couches situated around a square table. Only small children or slaves were permitted to eat sitting.

The Romans ate mainly with their fingers and so the food was cut into bite size pieces. Slaves would continually wash the guests' hands throughout the dinner.

Spoons were used for soup.

"Meat dishes included boar (wild pig), venison (deer), wild goat, mutton, lamb, kid, sucking pig, hare and dormice. Poultry dishes were of almost every known bird: chicken, geese, ostriches, cranes, pheasants, pigeons, doves, thrushes, fig-peckers, and- for the rich- peacocks" (Cowell, 1961: 78).

Drinks

Wine and water was served in jugs. 

The past and present harmoniously existing within steps of each other best defines Rome culture. For example, structures by 17th-century architect Bernini mingle with modern day architecture. Art created by the masters during the Renaissance and Baroque periods coexists with modern-day pieces in art museums and galleries throughout the city. Modern work buildings are steps away from historic monuments, like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. In short, Rome is an eclectic culture of a busy cosmopolitan city that reveres its past. Much of the Roman culture reflects the diverse people who passed through the city at different points in history. Gladiators, pagan deities, master artists and learned men left an influential footprint on the Eternal City. Tourists flock to the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Palatine and Forum Museum, the Galleria Borghese, the Palazzo Altemps, the Piazza di Spagna and the Domus Aurea to gain an appreciation of the stepping stones of today’s Roman culture.

 

Food and Festivals

Food is an integral part of the culture in Rome, with dishes that are full of flavor and reflective of old Roman traditions. Fresh vegetables, inexpensive cuts of meats, pasta and cheese are typical ingredients in Roman dishes. Food establishments flourish in Rome, with pizzerias, family-run trattorias and trendy restaurants in full supply. Food is further celebrated with food festivals. They are an important part of the culture scene in Rome and typically usher in a season, celebrate the Roman heritage, or simply carry on an age-old tradition. The Sagra del Csarciofo, for instance, celebrates the artichoke, a staple in Roman cooking. The springtime festival showcases the many ways the artichoke can be cooked.

 

Holiday Traditions

During the Easter and Christmas holiday seasons, Rome traditions exhibit the strong Christian culture of the Eternal City. One such Rome tradition is to go to St. Peter’s Square on Easter and Christmas to receive a blessing from the Pope. During the Lenten season, Good Friday marks the annual Procession of the Cross from the Roman Colosseum to the Palatine and Forum. On Easter Sunday morning, an outdoor mass takes place in St. Peter’s Square. During the Christmas season, churches in Rome display elaborate nativity scenes, and live music is enjoyed in the piazzas. The traditional midnight mass at the Vatican attracts thousands of locals and international visitors.

The sword was very important. It was light and short (no more than 50 cm) so soldiers can use it for stabbing quickly.

Eg:
1. Vesta -goddess of the fireplace.

2. Penates- God that watches one’s house /storeroom( Food cupboards)

It isn’t clear why they did this. Perhaps they hoped that the spirits would spare each person represented by the woolen offerings, or maybe they believed that the power of the spirits would strengthen each person represented there. 

In any case, spirit worship was just one part of Roman religion. The Roman state had its own gods and, like the spirits, these were the product of diverse cultures and ancient beliefs.

Funeral and commemorative rites varied according to wealth, status and religious context 

1.     Apollo- The god of the sun/rides the sun

2.     Bacchus/Dionysus- The god of wine, parties/festivals, madness, and merriment

3.     Caelus- The god of the sky

4.     Ceres/Demeter- Saturn's daughter, goddess of farming and agriculture

5.     Cupid- The god of love.

6.     Diana/Artemis -The goddess of the moon

7.     Fortuna - The goddess of luck

8.     Janus - The god of gates and doors

9.     Juno/Hera - Jupiter's wife, and Goddess of marriage

10.  Jupiter/Zeus- The king of the gods and goddesses, and god of lightning and the sky

11.  Mars/Ares - God of war

12.  Mercury/Hermes - Messenger of the gods; also the god of thieves, commerce and travelers.

13.  Minerva/Athena- The virgin goddess of wisdom, handicrafts, strategic warfare, and trade

14.  Neptune - The god of the sea

15.  Nox - Roman name for Nyx, goddess of the night

16.  Pluto - The god of death, and the riches under the Earth

17.  Proserpina- Pluto's wife, goddess of spring, queen of the underworld

18.  Saturn- The titan of time and king of the titans

19.  Spes- The Goddess of hope

20.  Terra- The goddess of the Earth

21.  Venus/Aphrodite- The goddess of love and beauty

22.  Veritas- The goddess of truth

23.  Vesta/Hesta- The virgin goddess of home and hearth

24.  Vulcan- The god of fire and blacksmith