Roman Amusement Flashcards
What are folles in Roman amusement?
Balls filled with hair, feather, or air
Folles were used in various games and activities.
What is trigon?
A game played with three people and two balls
The game had two officials: one kept score and the other returned stray balls.
What does harpastum refer to?
Rugby or football
It was a popular ball game in ancient Rome.
What are latrunculi?
“Little bandits” - chess
This game was strategic and involved capturing opponent pieces.
What is duodecem scripta?
“Twelve tables” - backgammon
This game is one of the oldest board games still played today.
What does calculi refer to?
Checkers
A board game involving strategy and capturing pieces.
What is micio?
A game similar to Italian mora
It involved guessing and was popular in Roman times.
What are tali?
Knucklebones of a sheep or goat
Five are thrown and caught on the back of the hand, similar to jacks.
What are tesserae (aleae)?
Four sided dice that lacked the numbers 2 and 5
These dice were used in various games of chance.
What is a fritillus?
Dice-box from which the dice were thrown
Essential for games involving dice.
What is the highest throw in dice games called?
Venus
This throw consists of all different numbers (6, 4, 3, 1).
What is the middle throw in dice games called?
Senio
This throw includes six and three others (6, x, x, x).
What is the lowest throw in dice games called?
Vulture
This throw consists of all the same number.
What are munera?
Private games
These were organized for specific audiences or events.
What are ludi?
Public games
These included various forms of entertainment for the masses.
What are ludi scaenici?
Dramatic performances in a theater
These performances were a significant part of Roman culture.
What is a mimus?
Mime, farce, actor in mime
Mimes were an important part of Roman theatrical performances.
What is a pantomimus?
Pantomime
This form of entertainment involved storytelling through gestures.
What are comoediae?
Comedies
These plays often included humorous themes and characters.
What are tragaediae?
Tragedies
These plays dealt with serious themes and often ended in disaster.
What is the dominus gregis?
Manager in producing a play
This individual was responsible for overseeing the production.
What is a grex?
Troupe of inferior actors
This group often performed in less prestigious roles.
What are ornamenta in the context of a play?
Props necessary for a play
What does proscaenium refer to?
Front line of the stage
What is the scaena?
The stage for actors
What was located before the scaena?
Cavea for spectators
Define praecinctio in terms of audience seating.
Semicircular passage in the middle of the audience
What are the two groups of rows in the audience called?
Meniana
How were the meniana divided?
Into cunei by stairs
How many cunei were there between the audience?
6 cunei
What are vela?
Awnings that protected from rain or sun
What does ludi circenses refer to?
Chariot races
What are factiones?
Chariot companies/factions
What color does russata represent?
Red
What color does albata represent?
White
What color does veneta represent?
Blue
What color does prasina represent?
Green
Which colors were added by Domitian?
Purple and Gold
What is the porta pompae?
Starting gate
What is the Latin term for the starting gate in a chariot race?
porta pompae
Refers to the entry point for chariots before the race begins.
What are carcerēs in the context of chariot racing?
Prisons - starting gates for chariot drivers
Similar to stables where drivers wait for the race to start.
What is the purpose of the porta triumphalis?
Ending gate
Used for the exit of the winning chariot.
Define oppidum.
Exterior part of the building composed of towers and barriers
Provides structural support and protection.
What does spinae refer to in a circus?
“Backbone” - the center part of the circus
Acts as a divider in the racing arena.
What are metae in the context of chariot racing?
Pillars or turning posts
Mark the points where chariots must turn.
What do ova et delphini signify?
“Eggs and dolphins” - marble shapes used to count laps
Help spectators track the progress of the race.
What is the podium in a circus?
Marble platform - boxes for magistrates
Elevated area for officials to observe events.
What is the role of an auriga or agitator?
Chariot driver
Usually a freedman or slave.
What is a pompa circensis?
Circus procession for magistrates
A ceremonial event preceding races.
What are venationes?
Beast hunts
Events featuring the hunting of wild animals.
What does ludus Troiae refer to?
Mock battle among kids
Often referenced in the Aeneid.
Define naumachiae.
Mock naval battles
Staged sea battles held for entertainment.
What is the Colosseum also known as?
Flavian Amphitheater
A significant landmark in ancient Rome.
When was the Colosseum opened?
80 AD
Marked a significant moment in Roman entertainment history.
What are munera gladiatoria?
Gladiator fights
Popular public spectacles in ancient Rome.
What is sagina gladiatorial?
Special food for gladiators
Nutritional support for combatants.
What is a rudis?
Wooden training sword given to gladiator
Used during training sessions.
What does caveae refer to?
Banks of rows
Seating areas in the amphitheater.
What are the three main divisions of caveae?
Infima/ima cavea, media cavea, summa cavea
Represents the hierarchy of seating in the Colosseum.
What is the porta Libitinensis?
Narrow passage for carrying the dead
Used during events that resulted in fatalities.
Define bisellia.
Seats of honor for members of city council
Specially designated seating for dignitaries.
What does podium refer to in the context of the Colosseum?
Two or three rows of marble thrones for officials
Reserved for the emperor, magistrates, and honored guests.
What is maeniana?
Seating arrangements in the amphitheater
Includes different levels of seating for the audience.
What is maenianum 1?
Fourteen rows for equestrians
Specific area designated for the equestrian class.
What is maenianum 1?
Fourteen rows for equestrians
Maenianum refers to the seating arrangement in Roman amphitheaters.
What is maenianum 2?
For ordinary citizens
This section was designated for the general populace in Roman amphitheaters.
What is maenianum 3?
Pillars - lower classes, foreigners, and slaves
This area was typically reserved for those of lower social status.
Who used the open gallery above maenianum 3?
Women
This section was specifically designated for female spectators.
What is a retiarius?
Fought with a net (rete) and trident (fuscina)
Retiarii were known for their unique fighting style using these specific weapons.
What is an andabata?
Fought blindfolded
This type of gladiator fought without sight, adding to the challenge.
What is a murmillõ/mirmillo?
Had a helmet with a fish crest
This type of gladiator was recognized by their distinctive helmet design.
What is an essedarius?
Fought in a war chariot
Essedarii utilized chariots in combat, showcasing their unique combat style.
What is a bestiarius?
Fought wild animals
Bestiarii were gladiators specialized in combat against beasts.
What is a tiro?
Rookie gladiator
This term refers to a novice or inexperienced gladiator.
What is a dimachaerus?
Fought with two daggers
This type of gladiator was known for their dual-wielding technique.
What is a loqueator?
Fought with a lasso
Loqueators utilized a lasso as their primary weapon.
What is an actoratus?
Volunteer gladiator
Actoratus refers to those who willingly entered the arena to fight.
What is a Thrax (Thracian)?
Had a short shield (parma) and greaves on both legs
This type of gladiator was known for their specific armor and fighting style.
What did a Samnite gladiator wear?
Thick sleeves on the right arm (manicae), greaves on the left leg, and a visored helmet
The Samnite was heavily armored and utilized specific gear for combat.
What weapons did a Samnite gladiator use?
Short sword and a long shield (scutum)
This combination was typical for Samnite gladiators.
Who often fought against the Thracians?
Hoplomachi
This type of gladiator frequently encountered Thracian fighters in the arena.
What term refers to Samnites often pinned against retiarii?
secutores
What does ‘palus primus’ translate to, and what does it signify?
‘first sword’ - highest ranked gladiator
What is the meaning of ‘palus secundus’?
‘second sword’ - next highest ranked gladiator
What is the term for a spared gladiator?
missus
Who is referred to as a lanista?
gladiator trainer
What is the purpose of the cena libera?
banquet for gladiators day before exhibition
What is a prolusio?
sham combat with blunt weapons that began the show
