The Similarities and Differences between the Roman and the Greek Views of Leisure - Coursework Example

Student Name: Tutor: Title: Assignment 3 Major Essay Course: The similarities and differences between the Roman and the Greek views of leisure Leisure from medieval time can be defined as free time work engagements and other duties with the purpose of pursuing activities of personal preference. Leisure is a means of escaping and relaxing after working hard in order to re-energize the body and mind before resuming work. Leisure and recreation in contemporary societies grew unprecedented to the level of major involved in development of a child (Godbey, 2003). The history of leisure and recreation is a rich tapestry of places, people, social forces, and events demonstrating the values of education, religion, and the government and the values and customers of various cultures, their pastimes, arts, and sport. Leisure has been very important in the history of man since ancient times. Romans and Greeks are some of the oldest civilizations found in the ancient world. Some philosophies about leisure in the Greek and Roman societies differed while some remained the same (Ibrahim, 1991). This essay discusses views of leisure among the Greeks and the Romans while exposing the similarities and elaborating on the contrasting differences. The essay begins with the view of the Greeks on leisure and proceeds to compare it will the view of the Romans in the subsequent part. The final remarks echo the important points about these two ancient civilizations and their view on leisure. The Greek philosophers had a strong belief in the unity of the body and the mind, as well as a strong relationship of all kinds of human skills and qualities. They believed that play was important to the healthy social and physical growth of children. Leisure was both physical and intellectual. To philosophers leisure was not only being free from being engaged or choosing what to do. Leisure was an important element for the realization of the ideas of knowledge; culture that led to virtuous choices and behavior leading to immense happiness and pleasure. Ancient Greeks were very enthusiastic towards sports since they greatly respected the agility and beauty of the human body (Hemingway, 1988). Leisure was a means of good life. Plato was of the view that education should be made compulsory and has to offer natural avenues of amusement for the children. Plato sought to know the benefits of gymnastics and music. He had the firm belief that there were physical and spiritual rewards to be derived from these expressions. Philosophers in the Greek society held almost similar views about leisure although they varied slightly. All in all it was a form of good life. Socrates had the belief that someone required knowledge in order to chose the best pleasure that suited him or her. Consequently, from his perception good life was a life of right conduct and choices. Largely women did not fancy the leisurely pursuits of men in ancient society of Greece despite there being historical records of women getting modest education and young girls taking part in athletic competitions. Citizens were considered to be men (Martin, 1996). The Athenian philosophy or perception that supported play as a kind of education was emphasized in the course of the Renaissance by writers and educators like Jean Jacques Rousseau, John Locke, and Francois Rabelais. Aristotle passed across the message of the importance of leisure in the attainment of good life. He had the belief that leisure was being free from having an occupation and it was a prerequisite for happiness. He was of the view that something goodness was established in the realization of its uniqueness, and with regard to human beings, he valued the power of thinking as the most unique of human qualities. Aristotle life of contemplation was a good use of leisure. According to Aristotle life had to be dedicated to thinking noble thoughts besides doing productive and civic deeds (Watkins & Bond, 2007). This Greek perception has been labeled as leisure ideal. Leisure is a force that turns people to be noble. The Greek concept of leisure can be translated as schole. Therefore, the ideal pastime was pursuit of scholarship through thinking, reading, discussing, debating and studying. In ancient Greece’s city-states especially Athens during the Golden Age of Pericles that ran from about 500 to 400 B.C., the human race reached another level of cultural and philosophical development. Athens was a major center for intellectual debate, philosophy, and introspection. There was an increased interest in learning, arts, as well as in athletics. These activities were the privilege of aristocratic, wellborn noble men who have all rights of citizenship that included participating in affairs of the state besides voting (Godbey, 2003). Farmers, businessmen and craftsmen were also citizens but were given restricted rights as well as less prestige. Laborers were foreigners and slaves who were many in population as compared to the citizens. Life amenities were restricted to powerful and wealthy citizens who were a representation of the ideal balanced life of Athenians. The arts of poetry, music, gymnastics, theater, and athletic competition were included into sacred competitions. To Greeks sports seems to have been part of their daily life and happened majorly during mass gatherings like funeral or wedding of great people or assembly of an army for the purpose of war. Besides, there were musical or bardic events providing contexts on the flute and harp, theatrical presentations and poetry. Physical endowment was presented in poetry and sculpture, and beauty and strength were presented in the beauty of the gods (Martin, 1996). From childhood citizens engaged in various cultural and athletic activities. Young children had a good time with their carts, dolls, toys, skip ropes, seesaws and kites. At the age of seven, young boys were enrolled in schools whereby music and gymnastics were basic elements. They were vigorously trained in leaping and running, wrestling, the throw of discus or javelin, dancing, swimming, ball games and boxing. Television and motion pictures have always portrayed ancient Romans as being military conquerors and as dedicated pleasure seekers. The Roman civilization had a role in shaping other civilizations for more than 2000 years (Burger, 2008). Entertainment was crucial in Roman life. Rome was a very pragmatic society that was engineering based. The concept for leisure among Romans was ‘Otium’ which perceived leisure as recreation; to rest, as well as recuperate so that one can be active and ready for the following day. Roman concept was leisure was basically hedonistic. The Greek’s city-stakes just like the Roman republic in the course of early development was a nationalistic and vigorous state. Roman citizens despite not being members of the privileged class were required for the purposes of defending the society and fighting its wars (Sylvester, 1999). Citizens took part in gymnastics and sports with the purpose of keeping the spirit courageous and the body strong. Several games organized for the purpose of worshipping various Roman gods were later developed to into festivals held annually. The games were supervised by the priest and used public funds during organizing for them. Just like for the Greek society, young children in the Roman society has toy carts, dolls, houses, stilts, hobbyhorses and took part in plenty of games and sports. Young boys were trained in exercises and sport like jumping and running, spear and sword play, swimming, wrestling, as well as horseback riding. However, the Romans had a different concept of leisure as compared to the Greeks. Whereas the Latin words for business and leisure are negotium and otium, suggesting the similar perception of leisure as being of positive value, the Romans had the view of play from the utilitarian perception as opposed to spiritual or aesthetic reasons (Kelly & Freysinger, 2000). The Romans had less interest in various cultural activities as compared to Greeks particularly in Athens. Despite having many performing companies, the Romans did not directly engage in theater but left it for southern Italian and Greek slaves. The Romans got more involved in paid up kind of leisure where they watched other professionals performing. Romans were very systematic in their planning and building as compared Greeks. They came up with buildings for gymnastic sport and colonnades where games could be held during the winter season despite the cold. Romans who had a lot of wealth built themselves private villas dotted by hunting preserves and gardens. A sharply divided society developed later within the Romans. As leisure intensified and the need for military service together with other kinds of physical efforts reduced for the citizens in Rome, entertainment took the centre stage of many citizens’ lives (Hull, Steward & Yi, 1992). The normal routine was for residents to be entertained or go through daily schedule involving exercise, bathing, as well as eating. Men were not actively involved in sport as previous been. They now loved to be amused and be entertained with their guest using paid musicians, acrobats, and dancers. The focus on traditional sports like jumping, running and throwing javelin were replaced by sports that emphasized human combat like wrestling, boxing and the fight of gladiators that displayed immense cruelty. Circus Maximus were built for trick-riding, horse riding, chariot races, and mock cavalry. The Colosseum also held ship battles that required the flooding of the Colosseum floor. These battles were bloody but a form of entertainment for the Romans wealthy who paid for them. During the time of Emperor Tiberius (A.D. 14-37) competitive sport in most parts of the Roman Empire has entirely commercialized (Nanette, 1984). The senate and the emperors staged great circuses, parades, and feasts for the purpose of maintaining popularity and electrifying the bored masses. Emperors used leisure to keep the masses happy through feasting and amusement using leisure activities. Leisure stands out as significant in the Greek and Roman societies. Leisure within the ancient Romans and Greeks was very important and the center of daily life. From the Greeks view leisure was a means of good life and a pursuit for happiness. The Romans held the Hedonistic view of leisure. Entertainment was very important in Roman life. Romans later progressed to combat leisure activities that were viewed as cruel. Many people who performed during leisure events were paid as men decided to engage in less active leisure. Roman civilization has shaped many other civilizations around the world. The Roman leisure activities seem to have turned out to be combat, physical and cruel while the Greeks considered studying, reading, thinking, discussing and debating as part of leisure. For both Romans and Greeks leisure played a very important role in their lives. Despite the contrasting differences, leisure remained a way of escape from daily work to relax and rejuvenate before resuming work. References Burger, M. 2008, The Shaping of Western Civilization: From Antiquity to the Enlightenment, University of Toronto Press, Toronto. Godbey, G. 2003, Leisure in your life: An exploration (6th edition). State College, PA: Venture Hemingway, J.L. 1988, Leisure and civility: Reflections on a Greek ideal, Leisure Sciences, 10, 179-191 Hull, R.B., Steward, W.P., & Yi, Y.K. 1992, Experience patterns: Capturing the dynamic nature of a recreation experience, Journal of Leisure Research, 23(3), 240-252. Ibrahim, H. 1991, Leisure and society: A comparative approach, Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown. Kelly, J.R., & Freysinger, V.J. 2000, 21st Century leisure: Current issues, Allyn and Bacon, Boston. Martin, T.R. 1996, Ancient Greece: From prehistoric to Hellenistic times, New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. Nanette R. P., 1984, The Legacy of Roman Education (in the Forum), The Classical Journal, 79 (4). Sylvester, C. 1999, The classical idea of leisure: Cultural ideal or class prejudice? Leisure Sciences, 12: 3-16. Watkins, M., & Bond, C. 2007, Ways of experiencing leisure, Leisure Sciences, 29(3), 287-307. Read More