<P> Refined cuisine could be moralized as a sign of either civilized progress or decadent decline . The early Imperial historian Tacitus contrasted the indulgent luxuries of the Roman table in his day with the simplicity of the Germanic diet of fresh wild meat, foraged fruit, and cheese, unadulterated by imported seasonings and elaborate sauces . Most often, because of the importance of landowning in Roman culture, produce--cereals, legumes, vegetables, and fruit--was considered a more civilized form of food than meat . The Mediterranean staples of bread, wine, and oil were sacralized by Roman Christianity, while Germanic meat consumption became a mark of paganism, as it might be the product of animal sacrifice . </P> <P> Some philosophers and Christians resisted the demands of the body and the pleasures of food, and adopted fasting as an ideal . Food became simpler in general as urban life in the West diminished, trade routes were disrupted, and the rich retreated to the more limited self - sufficiency of their country estates . As an urban lifestyle came to be associated with decadence, the Church formally discouraged gluttony, and hunting and pastoralism were seen as simple, virtuous ways of life . </P> <P> When Juvenal complained that the Roman people had exchanged their political liberty for "bread and circuses", he was referring to the state - provided grain dole and the circenses, events held in the entertainment venue called a circus in Latin . The largest such venue in Rome was the Circus Maximus, the setting of horse races, chariot races, the equestrian Troy Game, staged beast hunts (venationes), athletic contests, gladiator combat, and historical re-enactments . From earliest times, several religious festivals had featured games (ludi), primarily horse and chariot races (ludi circenses). Although their entertainment value tended to overshadow ritual significance, the races remained part of archaic religious observances that pertained to agriculture, initiation, and the cycle of birth and death . </P> <P> Under Augustus, public entertainments were presented on 77 days of the year; by the reign of Marcus Aurelius, the number of days had expanded to 135 . Circus games were preceded by an elaborate parade (pompa circensis) that ended at the venue . Competitive events were held also in smaller venues such as the amphitheatre, which became the characteristic Roman spectacle venue, and stadium . Greek - style athletics included footraces, boxing, wrestling, and the pancratium . Aquatic displays, such as the mock sea battle (naumachia) and a form of "water ballet", were presented in engineered pools . State - supported theatrical events (ludi scaenici) took place on temple steps or in grand stone theatres, or in the smaller enclosed theatre called an odeum . </P>

Map of the height of the roman empire