Latin Culture

Gladiatorial Shows

Popular entertainments in the Roman world where gladiators fought each other in amphitheatres, sponsored by wealthy individuals.

Amphitheatre

Large oval building without a roof, with rising tiers of seats surrounding an arena where gladiatorial contests were held.

Gladiators

Participants in the shows who were slaves, condemned criminals, prisoners of war, or free volunteers, living and training under professional supervision.

Thumbs Up/Down

Spectators' way of indicating their decision on the fate of a defeated gladiator - up for 'kill him' and down for 'let him live'.

Gladiators' Armor

Different types of gladiators had varied armors and weapons, like Samnites with oblong shields and short swords, or Thracians with round shields and curved swords.

Venatio

Part of the shows involving a hunt of wild animals, where trained beast-fighters called bestiarii hunted bestiae (wild beasts) released into the arena.

Public Baths

Facilities where Romans like Caecilius went for cleanliness, exercise, socializing, and relaxation, including rooms like palaestra, apodyterium, tepidarium, and caldarium.

Writing Materials

Romans like Quintus used tabulae with wax coating and a stilus for writing, or ink on papyrus made from the papyrus reed, sharpened goose-quills, and soot-based ink.

Schools

Education in Rome started with small schools for basic reading, writing, and arithmetic, followed by more advanced schools with grammaticus teaching literature and history, and rhetor schools focusing on public speaking.

Local Elections

Pompeians took local politics seriously, with lively annual elections involving slogans, processions, public meetings, and candidates campaigning in the forum.

Duoviri

Senior pair of officials responsible for hearing evidence and giving judgment in the law court.

Aedilēs

Pair of officials tasked with supervising public markets, the police force, the baths, public entertainment places, water supply, and sewers.

Candidātus

Term connected with 'dazzling white', referring to candidates wearing a specially whitened toga for easy recognition during elections.

Public Service

Tradition encouraged by emperors in Roman public life, where officials were expected to contribute to public services and construction of buildings.

Electioneering

Process involving agents praising candidates, making promises, and distributing bribes to secure votes during elections.

Pompeii Excavation

Uncovering of Pompeii and Herculaneum, starting in the 18th century, revealing insights into Roman life through systematic excavation and preservation of artifacts.