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May 26, 2025 4 mins

In this episode, we step back into ancient Rome to explore the spectacle of halftime shows at the iconic Colosseum. While today’s halftime events are known for music and entertainment, the ancient Romans had their own form of "intermission" during gladiatorial games. These breaks were filled with a variety of dramatic and often brutal spectacles, from animal hunts to mock naval battles. Join us as we uncover how the Romans kept the crowds entertained during breaks in the action, and how these halftime events reflected the culture, politics, and power dynamics of ancient Rome. Get ready for a journey through ancient entertainment, where the line between sport, spectacle, and survival was often blurred.

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