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1 — superset > Roman Amusement > Flashcards

Roman Amusement Flashcards

1
Q

What are folles in Roman amusement?

A

Balls filled with hair, feather, or air

Folles were used in various games and activities.

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2
Q

What is trigon?

A

A game played with three people and two balls

The game had two officials: one kept score and the other returned stray balls.

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3
Q

What does harpastum refer to?

A

Rugby or football

It was a popular ball game in ancient Rome.

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4
Q

What are latrunculi?

A

“Little bandits” - chess

This game was strategic and involved capturing opponent pieces.

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5
Q

What is duodecem scripta?

A

“Twelve tables” - backgammon

This game is one of the oldest board games still played today.

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6
Q

What does calculi refer to?

A

Checkers

A board game involving strategy and capturing pieces.

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7
Q

What is micio?

A

A game similar to Italian mora

It involved guessing and was popular in Roman times.

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8
Q

What are tali?

A

Knucklebones of a sheep or goat

Five are thrown and caught on the back of the hand, similar to jacks.

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9
Q

What are tesserae (aleae)?

A

Four sided dice that lacked the numbers 2 and 5

These dice were used in various games of chance.

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10
Q

What is a fritillus?

A

Dice-box from which the dice were thrown

Essential for games involving dice.

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11
Q

What is the highest throw in dice games called?

A

Venus

This throw consists of all different numbers (6, 4, 3, 1).

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12
Q

What is the middle throw in dice games called?

A

Senio

This throw includes six and three others (6, x, x, x).

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13
Q

What is the lowest throw in dice games called?

A

Vulture

This throw consists of all the same number.

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14
Q

What are munera?

A

Private games

These were organized for specific audiences or events.

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15
Q

What are ludi?

A

Public games

These included various forms of entertainment for the masses.

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16
Q

What are ludi scaenici?

A

Dramatic performances in a theater

These performances were a significant part of Roman culture.

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17
Q

What is a mimus?

A

Mime, farce, actor in mime

Mimes were an important part of Roman theatrical performances.

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18
Q

What is a pantomimus?

A

Pantomime

This form of entertainment involved storytelling through gestures.

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19
Q

What are comoediae?

A

Comedies

These plays often included humorous themes and characters.

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20
Q

What are tragaediae?

A

Tragedies

These plays dealt with serious themes and often ended in disaster.

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21
Q

What is the dominus gregis?

A

Manager in producing a play

This individual was responsible for overseeing the production.

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22
Q

What is a grex?

A

Troupe of inferior actors

This group often performed in less prestigious roles.

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23
Q

What are ornamenta in the context of a play?

A

Props necessary for a play

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24
Q

What does proscaenium refer to?

A

Front line of the stage

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25
Q

What is the scaena?

A

The stage for actors

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26
Q

What was located before the scaena?

A

Cavea for spectators

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27
Q

Define praecinctio in terms of audience seating.

A

Semicircular passage in the middle of the audience

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28
Q

What are the two groups of rows in the audience called?

A

Meniana

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29
Q

How were the meniana divided?

A

Into cunei by stairs

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30
Q

How many cunei were there between the audience?

A

6 cunei

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31
Q

What are vela?

A

Awnings that protected from rain or sun

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32
Q

What does ludi circenses refer to?

A

Chariot races

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33
Q

What are factiones?

A

Chariot companies/factions

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34
Q

What color does russata represent?

A

Red

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35
Q

What color does albata represent?

A

White

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36
Q

What color does veneta represent?

A

Blue

37
Q

What color does prasina represent?

A

Green

38
Q

Which colors were added by Domitian?

A

Purple and Gold

39
Q

What is the porta pompae?

A

Starting gate

40
Q

What is the Latin term for the starting gate in a chariot race?

A

porta pompae

Refers to the entry point for chariots before the race begins.

41
Q

What are carcerēs in the context of chariot racing?

A

Prisons - starting gates for chariot drivers

Similar to stables where drivers wait for the race to start.

42
Q

What is the purpose of the porta triumphalis?

A

Ending gate

Used for the exit of the winning chariot.

43
Q

Define oppidum.

A

Exterior part of the building composed of towers and barriers

Provides structural support and protection.

44
Q

What does spinae refer to in a circus?

A

“Backbone” - the center part of the circus

Acts as a divider in the racing arena.

45
Q

What are metae in the context of chariot racing?

A

Pillars or turning posts

Mark the points where chariots must turn.

46
Q

What do ova et delphini signify?

A

“Eggs and dolphins” - marble shapes used to count laps

Help spectators track the progress of the race.

47
Q

What is the podium in a circus?

A

Marble platform - boxes for magistrates

Elevated area for officials to observe events.

48
Q

What is the role of an auriga or agitator?

A

Chariot driver

Usually a freedman or slave.

49
Q

What is a pompa circensis?

A

Circus procession for magistrates

A ceremonial event preceding races.

50
Q

What are venationes?

A

Beast hunts

Events featuring the hunting of wild animals.

51
Q

What does ludus Troiae refer to?

A

Mock battle among kids

Often referenced in the Aeneid.

52
Q

Define naumachiae.

A

Mock naval battles

Staged sea battles held for entertainment.

53
Q

What is the Colosseum also known as?

A

Flavian Amphitheater

A significant landmark in ancient Rome.

54
Q

When was the Colosseum opened?

A

80 AD

Marked a significant moment in Roman entertainment history.

55
Q

What are munera gladiatoria?

A

Gladiator fights

Popular public spectacles in ancient Rome.

56
Q

What is sagina gladiatorial?

A

Special food for gladiators

Nutritional support for combatants.

57
Q

What is a rudis?

A

Wooden training sword given to gladiator

Used during training sessions.

58
Q

What does caveae refer to?

A

Banks of rows

Seating areas in the amphitheater.

59
Q

What are the three main divisions of caveae?

A

Infima/ima cavea, media cavea, summa cavea

Represents the hierarchy of seating in the Colosseum.

60
Q

What is the porta Libitinensis?

A

Narrow passage for carrying the dead

Used during events that resulted in fatalities.

61
Q

Define bisellia.

A

Seats of honor for members of city council

Specially designated seating for dignitaries.

62
Q

What does podium refer to in the context of the Colosseum?

A

Two or three rows of marble thrones for officials

Reserved for the emperor, magistrates, and honored guests.

63
Q

What is maeniana?

A

Seating arrangements in the amphitheater

Includes different levels of seating for the audience.

64
Q

What is maenianum 1?

A

Fourteen rows for equestrians

Specific area designated for the equestrian class.

65
Q

What is maenianum 1?

A

Fourteen rows for equestrians

Maenianum refers to the seating arrangement in Roman amphitheaters.

66
Q

What is maenianum 2?

A

For ordinary citizens

This section was designated for the general populace in Roman amphitheaters.

67
Q

What is maenianum 3?

A

Pillars - lower classes, foreigners, and slaves

This area was typically reserved for those of lower social status.

68
Q

Who used the open gallery above maenianum 3?

A

Women

This section was specifically designated for female spectators.

69
Q

What is a retiarius?

A

Fought with a net (rete) and trident (fuscina)

Retiarii were known for their unique fighting style using these specific weapons.

70
Q

What is an andabata?

A

Fought blindfolded

This type of gladiator fought without sight, adding to the challenge.

71
Q

What is a murmillõ/mirmillo?

A

Had a helmet with a fish crest

This type of gladiator was recognized by their distinctive helmet design.

72
Q

What is an essedarius?

A

Fought in a war chariot

Essedarii utilized chariots in combat, showcasing their unique combat style.

73
Q

What is a bestiarius?

A

Fought wild animals

Bestiarii were gladiators specialized in combat against beasts.

74
Q

What is a tiro?

A

Rookie gladiator

This term refers to a novice or inexperienced gladiator.

75
Q

What is a dimachaerus?

A

Fought with two daggers

This type of gladiator was known for their dual-wielding technique.

76
Q

What is a loqueator?

A

Fought with a lasso

Loqueators utilized a lasso as their primary weapon.

77
Q

What is an actoratus?

A

Volunteer gladiator

Actoratus refers to those who willingly entered the arena to fight.

78
Q

What is a Thrax (Thracian)?

A

Had a short shield (parma) and greaves on both legs

This type of gladiator was known for their specific armor and fighting style.

79
Q

What did a Samnite gladiator wear?

A

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.

80
Q

What weapons did a Samnite gladiator use?

A

Short sword and a long shield (scutum)

This combination was typical for Samnite gladiators.

81
Q

Who often fought against the Thracians?

A

Hoplomachi

This type of gladiator frequently encountered Thracian fighters in the arena.

82
Q

What term refers to Samnites often pinned against retiarii?

A

secutores

83
Q

What does ‘palus primus’ translate to, and what does it signify?

A

‘first sword’ - highest ranked gladiator

84
Q

What is the meaning of ‘palus secundus’?

A

‘second sword’ - next highest ranked gladiator

85
Q

What is the term for a spared gladiator?

A

missus

86
Q

Who is referred to as a lanista?

A

gladiator trainer

87
Q

What is the purpose of the cena libera?

A

banquet for gladiators day before exhibition

88
Q

What is a prolusio?

A

sham combat with blunt weapons that began the show

1 — superset (28 decks)

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