ENTERTAINMENT

Created by

Sophia

Cards (173)

What similarities exist between amphitheatre shows, theatre shows, and chariot races?
Funded by politicians to gain public favor
Popular forms of entertainment in Roman life
Engaged large audiences
When did gladiatorial fighting first appear?
In the third century BC
What does the term 'amphitheatre' mean? 
It refers to a theatre on both sides, derived from the word 'amphi' meaning 'both'
How does the viewing area of an amphitheatre differ from that of a traditional theatre?
An amphitheatre has a 360-degree viewing area, while a theatre has a 180-degree viewing area
How many amphitheatres have been found throughout the Roman world?
More than 200
What is the most famous Roman amphitheatre?
The Colosseum
What was the original name of the Colosseum?
The Flavian Amphitheatre
Who commissioned the construction of the Colosseum?
Emperor Vespasian
How long did it take to build the Colosseum?
About ten years
What was the estimated capacity of the Colosseum?
Approximately 50,000
What are vomitoria in the context of an amphitheatre? 
They are the staircases via which people could pour out of the stadium in great numbers.
What does the term 'infamis' refer to in Roman society? 
It refers to the very low legal status given to groups like gladiators and actors.
What is a murmillo? 
A murmillo is a heavily armed gladiator resembling a Roman legionary soldier.
What distinctive features does a secutor have? 
A secutor has a helmet with a visor, a greave on the left leg, and a short sword.
How does a hoplomachus differ from other gladiators? 
A hoplomachus is heavily armed and resembles a Greek hoplite.
What does the term 'retiarius' mean? 
It means 'net-fighter' and refers to a lightly armed gladiator.
What is a Thracian in the context of gladiators? 
A Thracian is a lightly armed fighter with a curved short sword and a small shield.
What is a bestiarius? 
A bestiarius is a fighter trained to fight wild animals, not typically a gladiator.
What is a strigil used for? 
A strigil is a curved scraper used to remove oil and dirt from the body.
What is a hypocaust? 
A hypocaust is an underfloor heating system.
What is a tepidarium? 
A tepidarium is the warm room in a baths complex.
What is a caldarium? 
A caldarium is the hot room in a baths complex.
What is a frigidarium? 
A frigidarium is the cold room in a baths complex.
What is an apodyterium? 
An apodyterium is the changing room in a baths complex.
What is a palaestra? 
A palaestra is an exercise-ground.
What is a stock character? 
A stock character is a character in literature or drama easily recognizable by certain traits.
What is the orchestra in a Roman theatre? 
The orchestra is the semi-circular area in front of a stage.
What is the scaenae frons? 
The scaenae frons is the back wall of a stage set in a Roman theatre.
What is the spina in a Roman stadium? 
The spina is the thin dividing bank down the middle of a racing track.
What are the metae? 
The metae are the set of three turning posts located at each end of the spina.
When did gladiatorial fighting first appear? 
Gladiatorial fighting first appeared in the third century BC.
How did gladiatorial fights become a popular part of Roman life? 
They grew in popularity and became established by the late first century BC.
What does the term 'amphitheatre' signify? 
It signifies a stadium that is a doubled-up version of a semi-circular theatre.
What is the difference in viewing area between a theatre and an amphitheatre? 
A theatre has a 180-degree viewing area, while an amphitheatre has a 360-degree viewing area.
What shape are most Roman amphitheatres? 
Most Roman amphitheatres are oval in shape.
What is the most famous Roman amphitheatre?
The most famous Roman amphitheatre is the Colosseum.
What did Romans call the Colosseum? 
Romans called it the 'Flavian Amphitheatre'.
Who commissioned the construction of the Colosseum?
Emperor Vespasian commissioned the construction of the Colosseum.
When was the Colosseum constructed? 
The Colosseum was constructed in the AD 70s.
How long did it take to build the Colosseum? 
It took about ten years to build the Colosseum.