Level 3 - Life in Roman Sussex

Entertainment

Public Entertainment

There is little evidence for public entertainment in Romano-British Sussex, and what there is, is mostly limited to the baths and amphitheatre of the civitas capital at Chichester (See The Towns). The baths would have been used by the surrounding population, probably at no expense, for social intercourse, business dealings and general bathing and relaxation. More active entertainment could be found at the amphitheatre, where blood sports such as wild animal baiting and gladiatorial contest were probably held. Among the only references to such activities in Sussex are a gladiator plaque from Fishbourne and a mosaic at Bignor, which depicts twelve Cupids dressed as a range of different gladiators and trainers. It is quite possible that temporary structures such as theatres were also assembled for specific festivals, but these have left no trace. Horse and chariot racing at a circus are also likely, but again, would leave no tangible evidence in the archaeological record.

Private Leisure Pursuits

There is slightly more information available to us on some of the private leisure activities pursued by the Romano-British population in Sussex, although most of this is probably restricted to the army, the provincial elite and the urban population, who may have had more leisure time available.

Gaming and gambling were very popular pastimes throughout the Roman Empire, and no less so it seems in Britain. Although gaming boards of the type found at Lullingstone villa in Kent have not been found, many Sussex sites have revealed numbers of small bone, ceramic and glass gaming counters. One carved chalk example from Angmering villa had a

name (CRETICI) inscribed on the side, suggesting that it was perhaps the lucky counter of a Romanized native called Creticus. These counters may have been used to play popular Roman games such as ludus latrunculorum (Game of soldiers), which was somewhat akin to chess, or ludus duodecim scriptorum, a game probably similar to backgammon. Bone dice have also been found at Fishbourne, which have been used in private gaming and gambling pursuits.

Making music would also have been a popular private pastime, probably in all sections of society. Unfortunately, evidence from Sussex is quite poor, relying for the most part upon the copper alloy mouthpiece from a wind instrument, found in the well at Findon.

Finally, among the most popular of leisure pursuits - at least among the more wealthy classes - would have been hunting and fishing. These have been discussed under 'The Countryside', although it must be remembered that people from towns are just as likely to have engaged in these sports.