Gladiators Flashcards
1
Q
Who were gladiators?
A
Recruited from prisoners of war, slaves and lesser criminals as well as some volunteers who swore an oath ‘to be burnt by fire, to be chained, to be beaten, to die by the sword.’
2
Q
Why volunteer to be a gladiator?
A
- To escape debt
- wanted t be famous
- chance to earn prize money
- chance to win freedman if slave
- attractive to women
3
Q
Retiarius
A
- Combat skill
- needed to be quick footed
- use a net, trident and dagger.
- wore shoulder to protect neck
4
Q
Thracian
A
- Combat skill
- carried small shield and curved sword
5
Q
Samnites
A
- Heavy armour
- large oblong shield
- visored helmet with crest and plumes
6
Q
Murmillo
A
- Fish helmet
- large shield
- short sword
7
Q
Bestiarius
A
- Best fighter
- armed with hunting spears
- litte protection
- lots of skill and danger
8
Q
What protected the audience from the beasts?
A
- Barricades
- netting
- rotation cylinder
9
Q
What would happen before the event?
A
- There would be advertisements publishing lists of fighters and heralds in forum
- Night before- magnificent feast
- spectators would watch them eat there (possibly) final meal
10
Q
Morning of event
A
- Inspection of weapons
- exhibitions of wild animals
- beast fights
11
Q
Gladiators- good or bad entertainment?
GOOD
A
- Chance to see exotic animals
- skill of gladiators
- Romans admired courage in facing death
- fights accompanied by music
- atmosphere - Emperor may be present
- free
12
Q
Gladiators- good or bad entertainment?
BAD
A
- meridiani - execution of defenceless animals
- mockery of handicapped
- noisy
- hot
- smell
- women sat at the back
13
Q
Roman entertainment was cruel
A
- Men and animals died in arena
- public executions watched
- handicapped people made to fight
- meridiani guaranteed death
- theatres involved realism (people would actually die/have sex on stage)
