An artistic depiction of sport at the Colosseum[/caption]
The Roman Empire is considered to be the post-Republican period of ancient Rome. As a polity it included large territorial holdings around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia ruled by emperors from 396- 476 AD.
Sports enjoyed in Roman times included boxing, acrobatics, tightrope walking, animal chases, animal bating, and cockfighting.
Boxing had been popular. Some boxers were known for their skill; others were known for simply being able take punishment! Bullfights had been held in the Roman theatre in Arles, France.
According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “Public games were a major part of Roman culture, playing an important role in the social and political life of the city and its empire. Although the games had their roots in funeral or religious rites, by the late Republican period (70-31 BC), they had become a hugely popular form of public entertainment.
They took several forms but all were essentially either races or fights. Known as ludi and munera, games could be staged in purpose-made arenas, most notably the Colosseum and Circus Maximus in Rome, either separately or combined in lengthy festivals.
Source: Jacob Coley, Dept. of Greek and Roman Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2010