Among Romans' favorite races was the chariot racing, which took place in arenas called circus.

After conquering Greece, the Romans allowed sports races to take place under the name of Olympic Games until, under the influence of Christianity, emperor Theodosius forbid them at the end of the fourth century.

One of the favorite sports of the Romans was the ball game (pilla).

"Harpastum" is considered to be an "ancestor" of soccer. It was played with a ball filled with fuzz, flour or earth, which was hit with the hand by the players, divided in two teams.

Other favorite sports, usually played by rich Romans inside the public baths, were taken from the Greeks, and consisted in running, jumping, throwing different object.

Some races must have taken place in the Roman amphitheater from Porrolissvm (gladiator fights, hunting of wild animals in the arena, etc.).