Spectacles, Roman Triumphs, and Gladiatorial Games

Roman Triumph
Rubens, Roman Triumph
The triumph of Scipio Africanus at the end of the third century as
described by the historian Appian.

Everyone in the procession wore crowns. Trumpeters led the

advance, and wagons laden with spoils. Towers were borne along
representing the captured cities, and pictures illustrating the
campaigns; then gold and silver coin and bullion, and similar
captured materials; then came the crowns presented to the general
as a reward for his bravery by cities, by allies, or by the army
itself. White oxen came next, and after them elephants and the
captive Carthaginian and Numidian leaders. Lictors wearing purple
tunics preceded the general; also a chorus of harpists and pipers –
in imitation of an Etruscan procession – wearing belts and golden
crowns, and marching in regular order, keeping step with song and
dance. One member of the chorus, in the middle of the procession,
wearing a body-length purple cloak as well as gold bracelets and
necklace, caused laughter by making various gesticulations, as
though he were dancing in triumph over the enemy. Next came a
member of incense-bearers, and after them the general himself in
richly decorated chariot.
He wore a crown of gold and precious stones, and was dressed, in
traditional fashion, in a purple toga woven with golden stars. He
carried a scepter of ivory, and a laurel branch, which is invariably
the Roman symbol of victory. Riding the same chariot with him
were boys and girls, and – on the trace-horses either side of him –
young men, his own relatives. Then followed the men who had
served him on campaign as secretaries, aides, and armor-bearers.
After these came the army itself marshaled in squadrons and
cohorts, all of them crowned and carrying laurel branches, the
bravest of them bearing their military prizes. The men praised
some of their officers, and ridiculed or criticized others; during a
triumph there are no restrictions, and everybody can say whatever
they like. When Scipio arrived at the Capitol the procession came
to an end, and he hosted the traditional banquet for his friends in
the temple.
Ancient Rome and the Circus Maximus
Dionysus of Halicarnassus, Roman Antiquities 7.72.1-13 on the
performance of the Roman Games or ludi Romani

Before beginning the games, the chief magistrates conducted a

procession honoring the gods from the Capitol through the Forum
to the Circus Maximus. Romans’ sons nearing manhood and of the
right age led the procession – on horseback if their fathers were
qualified to be equites, on foot if they were to serve in the infantry.
Those on horseback went in troops and squadrons, those on foot in
divisions and companies as if they were going to training school.
This was done so that outsiders might see the flower of the young
men of the city and how numerous and fine they were. Charioteers
followed, some driving four horses abreast, some two, and others
riding unyoked horses. Next came the contestants in both the light
and the heavy games, their bodies naked except for a waistband.
Dionysus of Halicarnassus, Roman Antiquities 7.72.1-13 on the
performance of the Roman Games or ludi Romani (continued)

After the contestants came numerous bands of dancers,

divided into three groups, one of men, the second of youths, and
the third of boys. They were accompanied by flute players, using
old-fashioned flutes that were small and short, as is done even
today, and by lyre players, who plucked ivory lyres of seven
strings and the instruments called barbita. Their use has ceased
among the Greeks of my time, traditional though it used to be, but
the Romans still use them in all their ancient sacrificial
ceremonies. The dancers wore red tunics with bronze bells. Swords
hung at their sides, and they carried spears of shorter than normal
length. They also wore bronze helmets with prominent crests and
plumes. One man led each group, and he gave the figures of the
dance to the others, taking the lead in displaying quick, warlike
steps, usually in a four-beat rhythm. After the armed dances, other
dances marched in procession as satyrs, performing the Greek
dance called sicinnis. Those dressed as silenoi wore shuggy tunics,
called by some chortaioi, and streams of all kinds of flowers; those
portraying satyrs wore belts and goatskins and erect manes on their
heads, along with other similar items. These men mocked and
mimicked the serious dancing, turning it into a comic performance.
Dionysus of Halicarnassus, Roman Antiquities 7.72.1-13 on the
performance of the Roman Games or ludi Romani continued (3)

After the bands of dancers, many flute players and lyre

players came in procession. And after them came men who carried
censers in which perfume and frankincense were burned along the
entire route of the procession, along with other men carrying
vessels made of gold and silver, some that were sacred to the gods
and others belonging to the Republic. Last of all came the images
of the gods, carried on men’s shoulders.
 The Circus Maximus Today

The Circus Maximus viewed from the Palatine Hill