lūdi

lūdi, the public games at Rome, a term used to describe a variety of theatrical performances, sports, and contests which took place on the occasion of festivals of the gods, and were instituted to win their favour or avert their anger, or to comply with some oracular command. They were usually annual but sometimes were held for a specific occasion. They followed an exact ritual, any deviation from which entailed a repetition (instaurātio) of the proceedings. Unlike the Greek games they did not for the most part include an element of athletic contest: this was first introduced in imperial times in what were known as agōnēs. The earliest ludi appear to have been chariot-races, ludi circenses, held in honour of Mars or Consus, under the control of magistrates. Then came gladiatorial and other displays in the forum and in amphitheatres, a survival perhaps from Etruscan funeral games. The first permanent site for the games was constructed in 329 BC. There were also games under the control of the priests, like the dances of the Salii.