In Roman times music played an important role in circus games, gladiator ludi and battles.
Often the performances in the Roman Amphitheatre began with a procession enlivened by wind instruments such as the horn and the organ, specifically the hydraulis, the water organ.
The fights began with encouragement from the audience, shouting, claps and chanting, like modern fans, while percussion instruments such as drums distinctly marked the rhythm in moments of particular tension during the fights.
