Year 8 Culture And Context Flashcards
Why did offer sacrifice?
To a good or goddess exchange for a favour all good fortune
Where did people put their curse tablets?
Water, buried in the ground or placed somewhere significant like a tomb
Why did they have festivals?
Religious and fun, worship gods
What happened at festivals?
Huge public events
For several days, including major festivals with events such as gladiator shows chariot races or feasts .
Somewhere private affairs with family and friends 
What were the two most famous festivals?
Saturnalia and Lupercalia
Describe saturnalia
Held every year and late December
In honour of Saturn, the God of seeds and sewing
Marked return of light after the winter solstice
Lasted several days, schools and businesses were closed down
Everyone in Rome participated even slaves
Lots of prayers and sacrifice of a young pig at the Temple of Saturn
Banquets
All rules were relaxed
Party games and feasting throughout the city
Gifts were given
What is Lupercalia?
Held in Rome
On 15th of February
Honoured lupercus, Roman god of fertility and purification
A dog and goats were sacrificed in the Lupercal cave
The cut up skins of goats into thin bloody strips called februa and young children ran through the Roman forum whipping spectators.
Would help with fertility 
What was the secutor
The type of gladiator known as a pursuer
They had a long oblong shot , helmet, a sword and arm guard and greaves on one leg
What was the murmillo
Fishman had
Long oblong shield
Different helmet
Sword
Arm guard
Greaves in one leg
What was the hoplomachus
Shield fighter
Helmet
Greaves
Sword
Small round shield
Spear
What was the retiarus
Net fighter
Trident
Net
Dagger
Arm guard
No helmet
What was the thraex
Thracian
Helmet
Shield
Greaves
Curved sword
Who was Spartacus?
A Thracian who had joined the Roman army. He was sold into slavery as a gladiator when he tried to leave.. he didn’t want to be a gladiator and escaped from gladiator school with about 70 others. Many slaves joined and Spartacus became the leader of about 70,000 men. They thought for the read them but we defeated in 70 1PC by the Roman army left by crisis
What was parentalia
Mid feb
Celebrated privately at home
Romans honoured their ancestors
What is fornicalia
Mid feb
In honour of fornax goddess of ovens
Honoured proper baking of bread
