A mask of one of the actors
The Romans would have little plays or skits that were put on as a show for entertainment. They would have a play for every holiday. The actors were't allowed to talk in the skits. To show emotion the actors would hold up happy or sad faces. The faces were sort of like the faces people hold up for Mardigras today. The plays and skits were important because The Romans had to have entertainment or they would get bored all the time. The audience would either put a thumbs up if they liked it or boo if they didn't like it. The faces were important to have so that the audience knew what the actors were feeling.