Concepts bank Flashcards
Magerius Mosaics (date)
3rd century CE
Showcase of munera and its importance in North African settlements
Showcases the importance of hunting and virtus. Men fighting off dangerous animals.
Clear example of the purpose of the munera in a provincial setting - for the elites to ingratiate themselves with the population
Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas (date)
202 CE
They advocated for Christianity till death. These two demonstrated faith till the end
Texts mentioning People who were not afraid of death, fighting the beast with a smile on their face. Believing until the end.
So, a lot of heroicising.
They become threats when they do not recant.
A lot of bias from Christian writers
Tertullian
Christian author
biased.
Humans sacrificing – the passage is writing by a Christian author from a place of hate of the pagan people.
might give a very bad desription of the ancients.
National gladiators
Gladiators were rarely romans. THerefore, they could have different natioality.
examples, Gallus from Gaul
Samnite from … not sure where
Thraex from Thrace.
Different pairing to ensure entertainment and breaks so fighter are no so tired. tired fighters = boring.
They were expensive and not expendable like animals
veterans
Rape of Sabine Women
Showcases Place of congregation – Games. The Sabines are being taken because they are being distracted by the games.
Shows the importance of spectatorship.
shows involvement of women: Women taking matters in their own hands. The Sabines interfering between the two camps.
They are involved because they want to protect their families.
Lex Julia Theatralis (date)
18 BCE
A reform by Augustus
It is a clear seating order in the arena - it puts in stone where people should sit.
The most important people in the front. Women and plebs were in the back.
Circus Maximus
Introduced by Tarquin oldest and largest circus in Rome.
It is not just a place for chariot races but also wild beast hunts and pitch battle.
Naumachiae although it was rare.
Julius Casear had 4 triumphs there.
The Triumph of Fulvius Nobilior (date)
186 BCE
He brought back Greek culture.
Even though the conservatives did not like Greeks.
10-day triumph (!): Including Greek athletic performances, and the first official venatio, with lions and panthers as the main attraction-exoticism.
He puts on games. Wrestling, boxing, first recorded hunt (venatio)
Fulvius started a trend that would last long.
Damnatio ad bestias.
Execution by wild beast
Reserved for the worst of criminals/enemies the enemy of the state.
Recreation of mythical myths. ie., Promotheus.
To warn the possible dissenters. It is entertainment. Elimination of threats to Roman social order.
Commodus (date)
161-192
Son of Marcus aurelius, bad emperor.
Loved way too much gladiatorial games.
he even participated in the munera (rigged obviously so he could win easily)
wasted a lot of state money on making grandiose spectacles.
