Entertainment Flashcards
Contrast between theatres under Republic and under Empire
In Republic, they were seen as dangerous: a breeding-ground for riots and discontent.
In Empire, it became a point of contact to the emperor and was a place to express opinions
It consolidated the new social order.
“the first row of seats should be reserved for senators”
Suetonius Augustus
Nero’s Baths!
Social area and place to be seen
For both rich and poor, even emperors would attend
Even rich went, despite having baths at home
Number of festival days?
77 at end of Republic
174 by 310 AD
Suetonius, Augustus 43
“He surpassed all his predecessors in the frequency, variety, and magnificence of his public shows.”
Augustus gave “his entire attention to the performance”
Suetonius Augustus 45
Contrast to Julius
“…started some games spontaneously, when a few people called for them from the neighboring balconies”
Suetonius, Gaius 18
Nero “came from the country to all of the games, even the most insignificant”
Suetonius, Nero 22
Titus was not known for much except the “magnificence of his dedication ceremonies”
Cassius Dio, Histories 66
Plutarch Moralia 823
“immediate popularity with the masses which comes from spectacles”
Says this is temporary
Seneca, Epistle 7
Nothing is so damaging to good character than the habit of wasting time at the Games
Martial Epigrams 7
Nero and his baths
Humanity had a “greedy love of baths”
Pliny Natural History 26
