Ancient Games in Rome: Ludi Capitolini
The Ancient Games in Rome were a big deal, folks! We’re talking about the Ludi Capitolini, also known as the Olympic Games of Ancient Rome. These games were first instituted in the year 387 BC by the Senate, as a way of thanking Jupiter Capitolines for saving Rome from those pesky Gauls. Thank goodness for Jupiter, am I right?
The Ludi Capitolini lasted a whopping sixteen days and started on October 15th every year. The games were held in honor of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, the Best and Greatest, or Jupiter Capitolinus, the god of the Capitoline Hill. These games were considered the oldest of the Roman games, so you know they were legit.
After a long hiatus, the Capitoline Games were brought back by Emperor Domitian in 86 AD. However, there were some noticeable changes. Firstly, the name was changed to Agones Capitolini, which sounds like a fancy way of saying “big games.” Secondly, instead of being held every year, the games were now held every five years. Finally, the games were diversified to include a bunch of activities, like poetry readings, speeches, and musical performances. Emperor Domitian even gave out awards to the best person in each category, turning the games into a talent show of sorts.
Unfortunately, the games fell out of favor after Domitian was assassinated in 96 AD. It’s a shame. Who doesn’t love a good talent show? Maybe if they had added a little more flair, like acrobats or fire-eaters, the games would have stayed popular. Alas, we’ll never know. But one thing is for sure: those Ancient Romans knew how to have a good time!
The Opening Event of the Games
Let’s take a trip back in time to Ancient Rome, specifically to October 15th. The warm breeze of an October day in Rome is tickling our skin as we sit in the stadium with our family. We are all thrilled to witness the main event of the day: the October Horse race.
This chariot race is dedicated to the war-god Mars, but with a twist: the winning horse will be sacrificed. The chariots used in the race are called bigae because they are pulled by two horses, unlike the trigae or quadrigae which are pulled by three or four horses, respectively. Of the two horses pulling the chariot, the one on the right will be chosen for sacrifice.
The Romans were all about athleticism, so the horse that was both the fastest and strongest was sure to please Mars as a worthy sacrifice. It might seem strange to us now, but sacrificing the winning horse was a huge honor and a sign of respect for the god of war.
So there we are, in the stadium, cheering on the competitors as they race their chariots around the track. We can feel the excitement and tension in the air as the horse’s thunder by, their hooves kicking up dirt and dust. And in the end, only one horse will emerge victorious, earning the honor of being sacrificed to Mars. It’s a spectacle that we’ll never forget, a unique glimpse into the world of Ancient Rome and its fascinating customs.
The Games During the Ludi Capitolini
The Ancient Games in Rome were a time of celebration and competition, with many events taking place in honor of Jupiter Capitolinus. These events were threefold, comprising music, riding, and gymnastics. The competitions included prose declamation in both Greek and Latin, as well as contests between lyre players and choruses. Even maidens participated in stadium races!
The Capitoline Games were the first example of organized athletic celebrations conducted in the name of religious devotion. The Romans would establish many more such celebrations throughout their history, some taking the form of chariot races, gladiatorial contests, or feats of athletic prowess. Despite their age and social significance, the Capitoline Games did not last very long. They were first disbanded due to their association with Marcus Camillus, whose inflated ego became too much for the Roman people to bear. They were likely disbanded a second time due to their association with an incompetent and egotistical emperor.
By contrast, other games such as the Ludi Magni Romani, or “the Great Roman Games,” and the Ludi Plebei, or “the Plebeian Games,” were more popular and would be practiced by the Romans for many generations. It’s interesting to see how the Romans valued athletic competition as a way of honoring their gods, and how these games evolved and changed over time. Despite their eventual decline, the Ancient Games in Rome left a lasting impact on Roman culture and history.
