Amphitheatre (gladiators!) Flashcards
How were the audience sheltered from the sun?
Canvas awnings, supported by ropes and pulleys were drawn over part of the seating area.
Describe the amphitheatre
A large oval building without a roof, in which rising tiers of seats surrounded an arena
How big was the amphitheatre in pompeii?
Big enough to fit the whole town in it, plus many visitors!!
How much did spectators pay?
Nothing!
Who see the shows funded by?
Wealthy individuals at their own expense
When would spectators arrive?
Shortly after dawn!
How did the games begin?
A trumpet blared and the priests performed the religious ceremony. Then the gladiators entered in a procession , paraded around the arena and saluted the sponsor. The gladiators were paired off and the games begin.
Who were the gladiators?
Shaves, condemned criminals, prisoners of war or free volunteers
Where did they live and work?
In a school or barracks under the supervision of a professional trainer.
How did the fight end?
With death or the surrender of one gladiator
What if they surrendered!?
They would appeal to the audience to be allowed to live. The audience either put their thumbs up (probably to mean kill) or down (to mean let them live). The sponsor made the final decision.
When could the life of the surrender be spared?
If he was a well known gladiator with a good number of victories.
What about successful ones?
The very successful gladiators would have been great favourites with the crowd, they may receive money from admirers!
What did the wooden sword mean?
The gladiator had displayed great skill or courage or had survived long enough. This was a high honour, meaning he never had to fight again.
Who were the Samnites?
Gladiators carrying an oblong shield and short sword.
Who were thracians?
Gladiators who fought with a round shield and a curved sword or dagger.
What was a murmillō? Who did he fight?
Gladiator armed with sword and shield, wore a helmet with a crest shaped like a fish. Often fought against retiāriī.
Who were the retiarii?
Gladiators armed with retia (nets) and a three-pronged trident.
What is a hunt of wild animals called?
Venatio!!!
Who were the bestiarii?
Beast fighters. They fought the beasts (bestiae) who were released from cages into the arena
How were the animal hunters armed?
Not very well- they wore light clothing and relied only on a thrusting spear and their agility.
What happened to the dead animals (and occasionally hunters) at the end of the hunt??
They would be dragged out from the sandy floor of the arena to be disposed of!
Why was Pompeii banned from holding shows for ten years??
The riot, between the men of Nuceria and the men of Pompeii on show sponsored by Livineius Regulus. They hurled insults at each other, before throwing stones and then drawing swords. According to Tacitus, most of the families of Nuceria lost a son or father on that day.
After the riot, Livineius and others who encouraged it were sent into exile.
How was the arena floor supported?
With wooden pillars
