Ludi and Factiones as Organizations of Performers

Abstract

Major performers in Roman spectacle entertainments (animal hunters, gladiators, and charioteers) were not independent contractors but members of organizations with far-reaching influence in social, political, and economic activities. Indeed, these empire-wide organizations shaped distinctive identities for performers and fans alike. Analysis of these affiliations’ personnel reveals that the hunters, venatores, had regional collectives that not only recruited, trained, and provided performers but also engaged in lucrative trade of commodities from Roman Africa. The gladiatorial ludi and familiae similarly prepared combat specialists for local, provincial, and imperial munera. The four circus factions, largest and most complex, maintained thousands of employees in an empire-wide presence, acquiring and training racehorses and charioteers for the stabulae factionum in major Roman cities. This efficiency and well-established structure enabled them to take charge after third-century changes made the factions responsible for providing the performers for all spectacular entertainments across the late Roman empire.