PERFORMANCES

The magnificent Banquets of Imperial Rome were very often cheered by performances of different kind.
ARS CONVIVIALIS, in order to enrich the Banquet event, even if holding fast to the exact criteria of recalling the ancient, it is in a position to offer a chain of performances that represent a further component which makes the Banquet unique and amusing, original and unforgettable.The Romans did not have seats for dining as we know them, so the diners would sit on cushions beside each 12" (30cm) high table.
The main parts of the accompaniment performance are:



 

Symphoniae

Music and dance performances during peculiar moments of the roman banquet. These pieces, as well as accompany the presentation of the different courses, constitute an autonomous performance.

Caerimoniae

Rituals recalling, such as those of the Gvstaticivm, the solemn initiation ritual of the Dinner, those of the Nvptialia Sacra, the wedding rite etc.

Lvdi Scaenici

Performances of extracts drawn from the ancient Greek and Roman theatre; declamation of ancient literary passages; genuine scenes, in which a character of the Ancient Roman History, as the Magister Convivii, guides the guests into the different phases of the Banquet, involving them in an amusing and cheerful participation.

Lvdi Gladiatorii

Performance of gladiatorior games with gladiators fighting among different classes: Retiarius, Secutor, Thrax, Myrmillo etc.The word "gladiator" comes from the Latin for swordsman, from gladius, sword. That definition does not do justice to the life of that professional combatant. The first gladiators were part of a sacrificial rite adopted from the Etruscans. First introduced to Rome in 264 BC, the sons of Junius Brutus honored their father at his funeral by matching three pairs of gladiators. Gladiatorial combat was originally part of a religious ceremony that was intended to insure that the dead would be accompanied to the "next world" by armed attendants and that the spirits of the dead would be appeased with this offering of blood.

Gladiators were generally condemned criminals, prisoners of war or slaves bought for this purpose. Some free men entered this profession in hopes of popularity and patronage by wealthy citizens. The free men were often social outcasts, freed slaves or discharged soldiers. They volunteered to be gladiators and by the end of the Republic made up half the number of combatants. Gladiators were trained in combat at special, imperial schools.

The gladiators fought in various styles, depending on their background and training. Originally, as captured soldiers, they were made to fight with their own weapons and in their own style of combat. Because these soldiers were from other lands, their appearance was exotic and weapons distinct from those of the Romans.

Lvdi Praestigiatorvm

Performances of circus art: jugglers, pantomimes etc.


People attending the performances, in order to place themselves in such a realistic atmosphere recreated with great wisdom, can choose to wear Roman tunics with sandals, garlands of flowers etc., placed at their disposal by ARS CONVIVIALIS.

If you want to be a spectator of our gladiator games come to visit us in our restaurant MICA AUREA ( the golden Crumb ) located in Rome- Via Palestro 21

Ars Convivialis   Tel. +1782787684 +3906944398  email:  info@arsconvivialis.com