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The Roman Games: A Captivating Guide to the Gladiators, Chariot Races, and Games in Ancient Rome (The Ancient Romans) Paperback – June 5, 2021

by Captivating History (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 127 ratings
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If you want to discover the history of the Roman Games, then keep reading...

What were the Roman games? What was it like for gladiators in the arenas of ancient Rome? How thrilling was it to see chariot races on the Roman race track? Were the condemned really thrown to lions at the Circus Maximus? These are a few of the questions that will be explored in this book. The Romans were known for their extensive civilization, but at the heart of Roman power was a penchant for the Roman games. Immense money and resources were spent constructing circuses, stadiums, and amphitheaters, all in an effort to create incredible spectacles for the Roman masses.

It was said that as long as Roman citizens had “bread and circuses,” they would remain content. The Roman people became so absorbed in the Roman games, in fact, that many other vital aspects of Roman society began to deteriorate. This book explores the nature of the Roman games and their relationship with Roman religion, as well as political and military power. Interestingly enough, it has been said that the games stemmed from religious and funeral rites that used spectacles to appease both the Roman gods and the spirits of the dead. The Roman games were held many centuries ago, yet they still captivate us today. Here in this book, we will explore them in full.

You will learn:
  • The origin of the Roman games
  • How the Roman games were connected to Roman religion and politics
  • The nature of gladiatorial combat
  • Chariot races and those who dared to enter these dangerous contests
  • Beast hunts in the ring
  • Roman theater in the arena
  • And more!
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  1. Part of series
    The Ancient Romans
  2. Print length
    104 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    June 5, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.24 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1637163738
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1637163733
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Book cover and people inside an arena

Colosseum

Horse and man

Two men fighting

Let’s Honor the Gods

Join us in this thrilling look back in time as we reveal the religious beliefs that preceded the Roman games. You will discover a world of merciless gladiatorial combat, cold-blooded sacrifices, breathtaking chariot races, and many other hair-raising events.

The Pageantry of the Games

Almost everyone knows of the gladiators fighting to the death in the ring. But did you know that the Roman games were often accompanied by performances of famous myths? Learn about why the Romans loved the theater so much and see the less-bloodthirsty side of the Roman games.

Give the People Bread and Circuses

The games were such a big event that various political figures competed to see who would organize the most lavish of games. You’ll find out how Caesar managed to pull off the most elaborate games of his time and how some emperors even partook in the games themselves!

Open book

Take an in-depth look at the contests held

And discover one of the fiercest gladiators there ever was

One legendary gladiator named Spartacus turned the tide in his favor to fight for freedom, and the events that followed ensured his name is still known today. How exactly did he manage to gather such a following and shake the Roman Empire to its core? We will review the many battles of this rebellion and analyze how the Romans underestimated this threat.

The average Roman could enjoy the games alongside the rich. One could watch charioteers participate in thrilling races, animals fighting tooth and nail to survive yet another day, and men and women engaging in savage, bloodthirsty competitions, oftentimes against their will.

Come aboard as we embark on a breathtaking journey into the glory days of reckless battles, races, and the many other exciting events that took place in both the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.

What are you waiting for? Grab your favorite chair and sink your teeth into this incredible guide to the Roman games!

In this book about The Roman Games, you will discover:

  • How the games survived through the days of the Roman Republic and what brought them to an end;
  • Why the gladiators were the most sought-after participants in the Roman games;
  • The horrific event that preceded the construction of the Colosseum
  • The birth of the gladiatrix–women who took part in the bloody battles in the arena;
  • AND MUCH MORE!
History; Rome; Romans; Emperors; Soldiers; Gladiators; Ancient Rome; Roman Republic; Roman Empire; History; Pompeii; City; Ancient Rome; Eruption; Mount Vesuvius; Roman Empire; Romans; Emperors; Roman Republic; Rome; Romans; Republic; History; Empire; Military; Battle; Soldiers; SPQR; Rome; Roman Empire; Roman Republic; Italy; History; Emperors; Military; Kingdom; Republic; Julius; History; Byzantine Empire; Byzantium; Eastern Roman Empire; Emperors; Constantine the Great;
The Romans Pompeii The Roman Republic The Roman Empire The Byzantine Empire
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Captivating History (June 5, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 104 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1637163738
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1637163733
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.24 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 127 ratings

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Captivating History

Captivating History

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A lot of history books just contain dry facts that will eventually bore the reader. That's why Captivating History was created. Now you can enjoy history books that will mesmerize you. But be careful though, hours can fly by, and before you know it; you're up reading way past bedtime.

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
127 global ratings
Great information
5 Stars
Great information
I read this book prior to visiting the coliseum in Rome. Definitely enhanced my visit since it gave details that the guide did not bring up.
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Top reviews from the United States

Sindy's selections
5.0 out of 5 stars Great information
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
I read this book prior to visiting the coliseum in Rome. Definitely enhanced my visit since it gave details that the guide did not bring up.
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Sindy's selections
5.0 out of 5 stars Great information
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
I read this book prior to visiting the coliseum in Rome. Definitely enhanced my visit since it gave details that the guide did not bring up.
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Dr. Lester Wills
4.0 out of 5 stars Not what Hollywood portrays
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2021
We have all encountered the Hollywood version of the Roman games, with the film Gladiator being just one example. This book provides a reality check. I thought I knew what these games involved but discovered I did not. For example, I did not know they started as funeral celebrations, where, as part of the pagan religion, it was felt they were honoring the dead by offering sacrifices. The fact they were forcing people to fight to the death was considered entertainment, and they had a banquet afterward!
The games gradually developed into mass entertainment and became ever more elaborate, with animals being used, as circus-type acts, as well to kill people, and to fight each other to the death. The author is able to provide detail on how terrible these displays were without being gory or sensational. I also did not realize there was a period when there were female gladiators, although there was prejudice against this in many quarters.
Overall it is an interesting book. If you want to understand what really happened at these games, it is worth reading.
3 people found this helpful
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Ancient Africa
5.0 out of 5 stars Good picture
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
The details of this reading was more than I expected. Assuming the accuracy can be accepted this is the first reading that provides anything close to what I expected. I also appreciate the information on the family history which provided insight on more than I expected or knew.
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Neil Greer
2.0 out of 5 stars A General History
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2021
Verified Purchase
The general history was good, but it would have been better if the opinions would have been left out.
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Steve Douglas
4.0 out of 5 stars The Roman Games were No little Games.
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2021
History can be absolutely fascinating, something many history teachers fail to realize and capitalize on as they drone on and on about irrelevant minutia.
I found The Roman Games to be really very interesting. It takes you from the earliest days of combat to the extravagant games held in the newly built coliseum. There are some things I wish the book contained... photos of some of the armor, statues of the gladiators, both male and female, as well as the emperors who put these games on.
I still don't know if the common folk had to pay to get into the coliseum but that is a minor point. All in all, this book retained my interest fully and I do recommend it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this brief review and enjoy the read.
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JJares
5.0 out of 5 stars What Really Happened at the Roman Games
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2021
It is surprising that people would find tearing another person apart, or even an animal apart, as entertainment.  However, it seems that Romans looked forward to entertainment after Roman pagan rituals or funerals were held.  At first, it seems that after the ritual killing of an animal (to pay homage to a god), animals and gladiators marched around.  Before long, teams of gladiators were supplying the entertainment as part of a political gathering.

These entertainments had athletic events in the early days, similar to the Greek Olympics, along with cirque-type acts.  But they changed and became more dangerous because it took more to get a crowd to convene. Chariot races were very popular.

Before Christianity became the faith of the country, Christians were slaughtered for entertainment, along with Jewish slaves, political dissidents, and common thieves and murderers.  I thought the explanation of the reenactment of wars and naval battles must have been wildly expensive to pull off.  Some of the most provocative acts were the reenactments of famous plays with the star being the one eventually killed (the original snuff films - without film).

Women gladiators had a limited run because gladiators were supposed to be from the lower classes and it was considered unseemly to have women demoted to the lower classes. However, some of the Roman leaders were very fond of these acts. It seems that thousands of animals were slain during these games; what a horrible and gory sight to see so much death in the Colosseum.

It wasn't until the Romans converted to Christianity and intellectuals began to question the carnage, that the games disappeared.
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Val A. Balagot
5.0 out of 5 stars Ludi Romani, Panem et Circenses
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2021
"The Roman Games" is a fascinating and detailed look at how the Roman Games came to be. There was nothing sporting about it, and over time the methods devised by enthusiasts of such spectacles and depravity grew more devious and the cruelty needed to achieve those results knew no bounds. The Games superseded the "bread and circuses" criticized by Roman poet Juvenal, and more and more ways were devised to keep the Roman poli entertained. I liked the contemporary voices heading off each chapter, and I was spellbound from the first page to the last. This is one book you shouldn't miss, if your interest lies in Roman history.
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CABG115
4.0 out of 5 stars Very rarely was their ‘Fun’ in the ‘Games’ for the participants.
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021
This book gives all the information you need to understand the Roman Games. The Games began sporadically around 600BCE. They became annual events in 366 BCE. The games’ primary purpose gradually evolved, but their sponsors were always very rich political or military figures of the time with a big message to disseminate.
The Games traditionally followed the same general format, although the various ‘acts’ received emphasis in each game and depending on the purpose of the sponsor. The Games fused religion with politics. The most common activities associated with the games were the Gladiator fights. These actually were meant to represent religious sacrifices initially. Just as in today, violent entertainment seemed to be most popular, then, also. If you want to know more about the nearly 1000 years of Roman Games, this is the place to start.
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