Duncan Long

 Assignment #7 Entertainment/Leisure

The festival rolled along as the procession and sacrifice had already been conducted. Felix continued to feast and drink wine enjoying the holiday, but still being cautious not to run into anyone familiar. The streets were full of drunken Romans and the circus games were about to begin. Felix made his way to the Circus Maximus to watch the chariot races and gladiatorial match.

            He made his way to the stadium entrance and felt the crowds roar inside his stomach as he entered. The stadium held somewhere between 150 to 200 thousand spectators. Felix passed the section with wooden seating and proceeded to the upper standing section. Only citizens were allowed to watch from the section with seating. Slaves still had to stand and Felix didn’t want to risk the chance of being caught. He was still making sensible decisions considering how much he had had to drink so far in the day.

            The chariot races were underway and they were as exciting and thrilling as ever. The first race was one by a Palatine local whom Felix was an acquaintance of through Claudius. Felix cheered vigorously with the crowd, as he won the race by just a nose. That exciting race was followed up by one more, which wasn’t as close of finish, but two racers crashed their chariots in the heat of competition. This made for good entertainment among the rowdy viewers. Next came the gladiatorial matches, but Felix only stayed for the first contest. Felix wanted to attend the theatre one last time.

            The Greek comedies were his favorite source of entertainment. He enjoyed their obscenity and mythological themes. Two of the mimes performing that night were good friends of Felix. He thought they were absolutely hilarious as he watched. Felix sat under the stars at the theatre of Pompey and laughed hysterically. He enjoyed every minute of the comedy for it would be his last. Tomorrow he’d be on a ship headed to Egypt.