Sources - The Amphitheatre Flashcards
What was the Amphitheatre used for?
- Gladiator shows
- Executions
- Animals shows (hunts and executions)
- Mock sea battles
What was the shape of the amphitheatre?
It was a a double theatre (two D shapes back to back)
What is arena in latin?
Harena - it means “sand”
How was the arena made comfortable for the audience?
- Tiered seating around it so everyone could see.
- Made of stone and wood - people bought cushions with them.
- Food available from vendors to cope with the long hours.
- There were awnings to protect from the heat.
- Audience had perfumed water sprinkled over them to keep cool and hide the stench of the crowd.
What covered the arena and why was it there?
Sand - combed over after each fight by a slave so that those who fought didn’t slip in any blood and so new fighters were no put of by the massive amount of blood from the previous combats.
Where were amphitheatres built?
Throughout the Roman Empire in each conquered city, to help control people.
How did they control the people by having the amphitheatre?
- They provide excellent shows that entertain people so they accept their Roman leaders.
- They arrest rebellious members of the community and by putting them inside to fight as a lesson to others.
What stone amphitheatres still exist today?
- Colosseum in Rome
- Others in Pompeii
- Nimes in France
Who sponsored the shows?
- Politicians, such as emperors in Rome
- Governors of a region in Briton
- Aspiring politician who hopes to win extra votes
When was the Colosseum built?
79-80 BC by Vespasian and titus
What was it originally called?
The Flavian amphitheatre
Where did it get its name from?
A huge statue of Nero
How many people can it hold?
50, 000 spectators. Can seat 45,000 - only a fraction of the city could fit in. Tickets when quickly.
How many entrances were there?
80 entrances
- One for Emperor
- One for performers
- One for dead bodies
