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OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation Roman City Life > Roman Amphitheatre > Flashcards

Roman Amphitheatre Flashcards

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1
Q

What events would take place at the Colosseum
(Name 3 things)

A

-Wild animal performances in the morning
-Public executions during midday
-Gladiatorial fights in afternoon

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2
Q

What was the significance of public executions

A

Acted as warnings to spectators of failing to follow the law and obeying the Emperor

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3
Q

What was the significance of wild animal performances
(Name 3 things)

A

-Exotic animals such as giraffes and crocodiles exciting and impressive to spectators
-Increases popularity and reputation for sponsor
-Animals, such as elephants, bowing to Emperor, shows empire’s reach and power over nature
-Animals fight a bestiaries gladiator

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4
Q

What was the significance of gladiatorial fights
(Name 3 things)

A

-The emperor had final decision in the outcome, shows his power over life and death
-Provide entertainment for a Roman crowd, one of the only forms of entertainment
-Emperor engaged with crowd, shows popularity with the people

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5
Q

Name 3 things that happened in a gladiatorial fight

A

-Started with procession accompanied by trumpet, horns and water organs
-Fight lasted as long as 20 minutes
-Once killed, an attendant would be dressed as Mercury to escort his soul to the underworld
-Dead body had its throat cut to ensure their death

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6
Q

What was the Colosseum layout like
(Name 3 things)

A

-Oval shaped
-Three tiers of seating; equites(knights) first, then ordinary citizens, then women, slaves and poor at the top
-Special box for Emperor and family
-Special seats for Vestal Virgins

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7
Q

Who built the Colosseum and what was it known as

A

Built by emperor Vespasian, known as the Flavian amphitheatre

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8
Q

Where does the name gladiator come from

A

Gladius, meaning short sword

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9
Q

What gladiator fought with a net and trident

A

Retarius

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10
Q

What gladiator looked like a greek hoplite

A

Hoplomachus

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11
Q

What gladiator looked like a Roman legionary

A

Murmillo

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12
Q

How tall were the Colosseum’s outer walls

A

50m

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13
Q

What was the capacity of the Colosseum

A

50,000

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14
Q

What shape was the basic design of the Colosseum based on?

A

A series of concentric circles.

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15
Q

What material was primarily used to build the Colosseum’s outer wall

A

Hard travertine rock, a type of limestone

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16
Q

What architectural feature provided stability in the Colosseum’s design

A

Arches, made of bricks and concrete

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17
Q

What does the term “vomitoria” refer to in the Colosseum

A

The staircases and walkways that allowed spectators to exit quickly, resembling a “pouring out.”

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18
Q

How many entrances did the Colosseum have?

A

80

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19
Q

What material was used to decorate the monumental entrances?

A

Stucco, a type of plaster, often painted over

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20
Q

What material was used for the seating up to the third storey?

A

Marble

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21
Q

Why were the seats on the fourth storey made of wood?

A

To reduce the weight and pressure on the outer wall.

22
Q

What feature protected spectators from the sun

A

A huge awning that could be pulled over two-thirds of the seating area.

23
Q

How were spectators protected from the animals in the arena?

A

A 4-meter-high wall, a metal fence, and archers standing guard.

24
Q

What was the arena floor covered with, and why?

A

Sand (harena) to absorb blood.

25
Q

What was beneath the arena floor

A

A network of tunnels, cages, and lifts for animals and performers.

26
Q

How were gladiatorial games used by senior politicians before the time of the emperors?

A

They funded impressive games to win public popularity and gain votes.

27
Q

How did emperors use gladiatorial games during their reign?

A

To promote themselves and demonstrate their power.

28
Q

Which emperor held the most extravagant gladiatorial games, and why?

A

Emperor Trajan, to celebrate his military victories.

29
Q

How long did Emperor Trajan’s games last, and how many gladiators and animals were involved

A

123 days, with 10,000 gladiators and 11,000 animals.

30
Q

What were the main backgrounds of gladiators?
(Name 3 things

A

-They could be strong slaves
-prisoners of war
-convicted criminals
-free men seeking to escape poverty

31
Q

What benefits did gladiators receive despite their low status?

A

Access to high-quality medical care and a high-energy diet of barley, beans, oatmeal, and fruit.

32
Q

What social status did gladiators hold in Roman society?

A

They were considered infamis, having no legal protection and very low social status.

33
Q

How were gladiators categorized based on their equipment?

A

Into two main categories: heavily armed (hard to wound) and lightly armed (quick on their feet).

34
Q

Q: What did the Roman audience enjoy about gladiatorial fights?

A

Watching different types of gladiators with distinct skills, weapons, and fighting styles compete against each other.

35
Q

What did the murmillo’s equipment include?
(Name 3 things)

A

-A fish-crested helmet without a visor
-short greaves
-a curved rectangular shield
-short sword.

36
Q

What was distinctive about the secutor’s helmet?

A

It had a visor with two small eye-holes to protect against a trident thrust.

37
Q

What weapons and armour did the secutor carry?
(Name 3 things)

A

-A greave on his left leg
-an arm guard
-a legionary-style shield
-a short sword.

38
Q

What equipment did the hoplomachus use?

A

A large crested helmet with visor, a thigh-length greave on the left leg, a spear, and a round shield.

39
Q

Who was the hoplomachus often matched against in fights?

A

The murmillo, in re-enactments of Rome’s wars against the Greeks.

40
Q

What weapons did the retiarius use?
(Name 3 things)

A

-A large net
-a trident
-an arm guard
-a shoulder guard
- a dagger.

41
Q

What made the retiarius unique among gladiators?

A

He was the most lightly armed and the only gladiator whose head and face were uncovered.

42
Q

What weapons and armor did the Thracian have?
(Name 3 things)

A

-Armored greaves on both legs
-a sword arm and shoulder protector
-a small shield
-a curved short sword for slashing.

43
Q

What was the primary role of a bestiarius?

A

Fighting wild animals.

44
Q

What weapons did the bestiarius use?
(Name 3 things)

A

-Whips
-spears
-bows
-lances.

45
Q

Why was being a bestiarius dangerous?

A

He did not carry a sword and usually wore no armor.

46
Q

Who would a murmillo usually fight?

A

Thracian or hoplomachus

47
Q

Who would a sector usually fight?

A

retiarius

48
Q

Who would a hoplomachus usually fight?

A

Murmillo or sometimes Thracian

49
Q

Who would the retiarius fight?

A

the secutor

50
Q

Who would the thracian fight?

A

the murmillo or sometimes the hoplomachus

OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation Roman City Life (7 decks)

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