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The Romans were just as hard working as us if not more so. They had few social or legal protections for labor which meant that people were run ragged. The 8th day cycle of Market Day and the various religious festivals sprinkled across the calendar offered some reprieve but its no surprise that people were looking for ways to unwind.

For the lower classes this likely took the form of staycations or short excursions. For the wealthy though, they had the means to stage far more elaborate vacations. These often featured weeks if not months spent in the numerous villas scattered along the hills and shores of Italy. Cities like Pompeii and Baiae along the Amalfi Coast were famous travel destinations. Some even went abroad in search of more exotic experiences. The town of Hippo and its friendly dolphin reportedly drew thousands of tourists while the village of Sparta even ran a theme park of sorts which sought to give visitors a taste of its ancient past.

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Sources and Suggested Reading
Life and Leisure in Ancient Rome, by J. P. V. D. Balsdon
Leisure and Ancient Rome, by J. P. Toner
Travel and Geography in the Roman Empire, by Colin Adams and Ray Laurence

Credits
Research = Chris Das Neves
Script = Chris Das Neves
Narration = Invicta
Artwork = Beverly Johnson
Editing = Penta Limited

#history
#documentary
#rome