LEISURE IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES

Chapter I

Introduction
Leisure and the Ancient Greeks
Leisure and the Ancient Romans
Leisure constraints of the Middle Ages
The Renaissance and awakening to leisure
The Reformation and the work ethic
Post-Renaissance and Reformation
Effects of the Industrial Revolution
Into the twenty-first century

This lesson will give us insights to understand the significance of studying the history of leisure. This will also give us
knowledge on the origins of what we have today in relation to leisure.

Introduction

Leisure has been a part of our daily living. ‘That is the principal point’, Aristotle said, ‘with what kind of activity is man
to occupy his leisure?’ in this chapter we will get to know how leisure is viewed in different historical settings and its
importance. We live our history as they say. We do behave like our ancestors in many ways. Young people’s fashions
and lifestyles alarm the adults, but anthropologists remind us that there is nothing new. Body paintings of todays were
done before in Africa by the earliest humans that used red ochre for body painting which is done in preparation for ritual
dances.

Leisure and the Ancient Greeks

The current leisure thinking has been influenced by the early Greek civilization which resulted from the writings of Plato
and Aristotle. During the height of Greek civilization, they saw the origin of the ‘leisure ethic’ which was in contrast with
some factors related to sports where the purpose of life was the intelligent use of free time. Out of leisure and education,
good citizens were created because good citizenship means having proper life.

Plato, a great philosopher and writer and a devoted follower of Socrates, saw no hope for man unless rulers became
philosophers or vice versa. Plato founded his Academy in Athens after Socrates’ death in Athens in 387 BC. While
Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and scientist, failed to become the head of the said Academy at Plato’s death when he
joined the Academy but went on and founded the Lyceum which was the library and museum. He was said to have
written about 400 books.

Required to achieve happiness were contemplation, time for thought, philosophy and self-development which was that
time, for Plato is leisure. It was illustrated in the study of ancient Greek words the philosophical juxtaposition of culture,
education and leisure. Paideia was referred to education and improving the self. ‘Paideia’ means culture and ‘paidos’
means boy or child. ‘Peod’ forms the root of the word Pedagogy.

Schole, a greek word, denotes both schooling and leisure. In English, Schole means school and scola in Latin. Through
search for understanding, leisure led to aesthetic, spiritual or intellectual enlightenment. In the history, they believed
that manual workers were incapable of leisure. The concept of natural slave was developed that was a remedy to the
problem of finishing necessary works resulting to the freedom of the city for the more worthwhile pursuits.

To enable a person make the right choices was the purpose of knowledge. To attain happiness was the central to
Aristotle’s philosophy. Leisure was differentiated from work in the sense that work has to do with manual labor while
leisure were the moments when one participated in dramas or music.

The word schole was employed by Plato with meanings such as spare tie, freedom from other activities and self-
possession or freedom.
 Pedagogy, gymnasium, stadium, lyceum and academy were among the Ancient Greek words which survived
in the English language. Music, poetry and philosophy lead to beauty and eternal truths, to Plato while to Aristotle, only
music and contemplation were worthy of the name leisure.

Leisure and the Ancient Romans

During this time, Leisure was used as utilitarian rather than for aesthetics. Sports were done to maintain physical
fitness for war. They have built Baths, amphitheaters and arenas for the benefit of the people. Slaves were used for
some sorts of entertainment like dramas, music, sports and later on in contests, etc.

Britain was conquered in AD 43 and became a province of the Roman Empire. Juius Caesar has landed in Kent in
55/54 BC and spent tie in England and then returned to Rome. After a hundred years, Emperor Claudius conquered
the South of England where Camulodunum (Colchester became the first capital followed by Londinium.

Ancient Rome show the massive investment in public facilities, services and the growth of leisure consumption.
Plebeians was the term used to people who were not the privileged patricians who had no civil rights at first and were
forbidden to marry patricians.

The Romans also built and planned for leisure like the Greeks and stress for them was upon law, custom and
consumption, distinct from learning, a political instrument, discovering and enlightenment.

Leisure constraints of the Middle Ages

Leisure and recreation was affected profoundly by the fall of the Roman Empire and the spread of Christianity. That
the purpose of life was to prepare for the next life was taught by the Catholic Church. Aptly was the term used during
the Dark Ages. According to the Ancient Greek Philosophy, work became a virtue as it is today.

Church prohibited most of the leisure activities except those that are related to religious activities. On holy day
celebrations, social drinking, gambling and other activities are observed. But during Dark ages, life was harsh to the
common man.

During the Middle ages, there was a continuation of the phenomenon of leisure elitism which is a modified Greek ideal
for the landed gentry and political leaders. Hunting and hawking were dome of the leisure activities. The power of
Church declined gradually but monarchs still controlled Europe.

The Renaissance and awakening to leisure

During the Renaissance period, there was a revival of classical learning, art, architecture, the philosophy of humanism
and the dignity of man advocated by Petrarch, a 14th century poet and scholar. Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and
Michelangelo flourished in the high renaissance period.

Leisure became more generalized and more opportunities were given to people and they enjoyed both religious and
secular festivals. In theatres, music, drama and dance were performed professionally. During this time, education
became more readily available. Jen Jacques Rousseau expanded his views in his novel Emile on human nature and
society’s need for free expression of mind, body and spirit as opportunities for children.

The renaissance brought liberalism which encouraged a pleasure seeking aristocracy, a public more prone to drinking,
practicing cruel sports, gambling, a wordy, often corrupt, Church and etc which led to the Reformation.
The Reformation and the work ethic

During the Reformation, there was an attempt done to reform the Roman Catholic Church and ended with the
establishment of independent Protestant Churches. The papal jurisdiction collectively weakened within the states of
western Europe. During this time, Martin Luther began a revolt against the established Church in Germany where
marriages and divorces could be purchased and indulges (monetary penance) that were believed to wipe clean slate
of sin if given sufficient payment. Luther’s attack was condemned by the pope and the Holy Roman Emperor but
gained the support of the several German princes. Afterwards, some leaders led the reformation in some other
countries.

During the Civil War, the parliamentarians, who were also called roundheads, referring to the short haircuts of
apprentices who demonstrated against the King at Westminster.

Post-Renaissance and Reformation

Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and other painters brought the greatest explosion in art and painting in
Northern Italy where other philosophers also came as the movement spread across northern Europe. As a result of
adventures of explorers, the world seemed to become smaller and there were endless activities in the scientific world
as well as reaction against such rationality.

The cultural revolution continued. Parks and gardens were developed in the seventeenth and eighteenth century and
holidays were declared by kings and lords. Eighteenth century was called the Enlightenment or Age of reason, a
philosophical movement that sought to replace some beliefs with rational scientific inquiry.

Creativity and development was sought in humanism during Renaissance which brought more freedom to leisure.
Works were idealized during the reformation and distrusted the evils of leisure.

Effects of the Industrial Revolution

During this time, growth of cities was brought about by the factories and there was the rising of urban populations. For
children, many forms of play were condemned as evil. From mid-1800 into the 1900s, reformers were deeply concerned
about welfare especially the welfare of children, a problem which was gradually recognized by urban churches and
came to terms with a new role in regard to recreation.

The reformers sought wholesome opportunities for activities after work, a refreshment for workers to work more. Several
of the writings and theories of play and recreation began to emerge during the last century where there was an interest
in leisure as it relates to industrial society that was awakened.

Thorsten Veblen or described as ‘leisure class was re-emerging during this time. Another division in society emerged
which was brought by capitalism, urbanization and industrialization. To Veblen, leisure was perpetuated for the leisure
classes at the turn of the last century. Public health and physical recreation, baths and parks, etc., were gradually
opened and made available for public in Britain but leisure was never the right of the masses until when it was
recognized as a part of life separate from the long working hours.

Into the twenty-first century

The growth of recreation was seen in the 21st century as well as the need for children’s play, a process of learning for
the young and leisure for enjoyment. Public parks, baths, public houses in their thousands and music halls were
provided in the first half of the century for people to enjoy their free time. Cinemas and spectator sports came after the
first world war and after the second world war, television came.
 The following are the three great waves that have broken across the face of Britain since 1800:

a. Sudden growth of dark industrial towns;

b. The thrusting movement along far-flung railways; and
c. The sprawl of car-based suburbs.

There was an estimate of 2.5 million people who were employed in the leisure industry, accounting for one in every five
new jobs.

In the 1960s, an explosion of leisure facilities began like for sport centers, community arts and recreation centers.
Tourism have burgeoned when creative arts, music, fashion, exhibitions and festivals flourished. There was the growth
of facilities that evolved a wider, new leisure vocabulary. National Lottery was one of the new facilities.

Leisure and recreation influence and play a significant part in re-enforcing and reshaping, our culture. It has been
viewed differently in each era where leisure evolved with the rising developments over time which has influenced
nations around the world. From the Ancient Greeks to the 21st century, we were able to read the arise and changes in
leisure where most are still experienced and became parts of our day to day living.

REFERENCES

Leisure and recreation Management (5th Edition, 2005) by George Toldkilsen - Routledge 2 Park Square,
Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

John Pearson, Arena: The Story of the Colosseum (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1973): 7

https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=fzC1PC9YCTgC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary
_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false