Westchester Italian Cultural Center: Gladiators & Chariots: Entertainment in the Roman Empire

Entertainment during the Roman Empire looked quite different than what we seek in modern times. Let’s discuss what a gladiator actually is (professional vs slave), how the Colosseum provided a world-renowned stage for these fights, and the various types of gladiatorial and chariot race spectacles. We explore the Roman Colosseum, unearthing its secrets and trap doors, and move on to the Roman Circus, the original horse racetrack.