CLAS 263 FINAL

Aedile

either of two (later four) Roman magistrates responsible for public buildings and originally also for the public games and the supply of grain to the city.

Ampitheater

A theater/arena that encloses the performing area completely, commonly a circle

Arena

an enclosed outdoor area for the presentation of sports and athletics

Armature

costume or armor worn by gladiator

Atilius

murmillo gladiator in pompeii, defeated opponent but left them alive.

Augustus

the first roman emperor. the adopted son of caeser.

Bestiarii

animals handlers

(Julius)Caesar

the first roman dictator, whose military accomplishments gave him unmatched power. Was eventually killed, and the country broke out into civil war

Cicero

early roman politician and philosopher, and one of the greatest poets and orators of his time

collegium

was any association in ancient Rome with a group
Collegia could function as guilds, social clubs, or burial societies in ancient Rome

Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater)

opened in 80 AD. Hosted gladiatoral games, held 80,000 plus. Finished under vespasian

Commodus

Ancient Roman Emperor who succeeded his father, Marcus Aurelius, and began the decline of the Roman Empire.

circus

an arena in ancient Rome or the show held there. Area for chariot racing, simialr to greek hippodrome but much larger

Crucifixion

criminal deaths during meridinai

damnatus

someone condemned on capital charges

defixio

curse tablet that would be buried before a race

Domus Aurea (Golden House)

Nero's big house built in area cleared by fire in 64AD.

doctor (es)

trainer at gladiatorial school, often an ex-gladiator specializing in a certain combat technique

editor (es)

producer of a spectacle, typically a member of the sociopolitical elite using this public service as a means of securing status

epigram

Roman epigram were more satirical than the Greek ones and also used obscene language for effect. Martial was known for writing epigrams

Epigraph

an inscription on stone or on a statue or coin. In literature it is a quotation on the title page of a book, or a motto heading a section of a work

Etruscans

powerful and wealthy citizens

factio (nes)

orginally refers to the professional organizations for chariot racing, but eventually came to also refer to the fan organization as well

Familiae

group of fighters that all belonged to the same ludus

Fidenae

a city that rome fought over with veii because of strategic location

forum boarum

the cattle market where the first public munera was held

forum romanum

the large central place in rome where munera were held during the republician era

Flavian Amphitheater

the first name for the Roman Coliseum. arch style, free standing, could seat 87,000

Infamis/Infames

a loss of legal standing/ prostitutes, gladitors

Julio-Claudians

Dynasty of Roman emperors that included Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. Left a power vaccum when dynasty ended

gladius

the short sword that gladiators used

lanista

Manager-owner of a gladiatorial training school, responsible for acquisition of new combatants and their training. Negotiates terms of performance with editor.

Latins

the people from latium, who spoke latin. much of their culture was incorporated into rome's

Livy

Historian of Roman Republic who wrote about the struggle between plebians and patricians

licentia theatricalis

the free speech that spectators were given in the arena, allowed voice their pleasure or displeasure at the emperor largely without fear of repurcussions. the roudy ness of the crowd

ludus

games presented in assoication with religious festivals

also gladiator school

Ludi Circenses (Procession + Games)

games taking place in the circus, mainly chariot races

Ludi Romani

Roman festival in honor of Jupiter into which drama was first introduced.

ludia (e)

women of the ludus

martial

high imperial roman writer. seen as very funny

Martyr

christian who willingly gave themselves up in the arena

meridiani

mid-day games/ executions

missio (nes)

a sending off without death in the gladiatorial games.

Could also be mission of god

Munus (munera, plural)

munera. means "duty" and is the term for gladitorial games

Murmillo

armed with a sword and shield and wore a helmet with a crest shaped like a fish

Naumachia

sea-battle

Nero

the last emperor in the julio-claudian dynasty. had christians executed, and fought jewish wars

perpetua

Christian martyr (one who was killed for their beliefs) from Carthage. Educated and wealthy, she died being fed to leopards.

pompa(e)

parade at roman festivals; invovles poltical and relgigious personnel as well as performers at spectacle

Pompeii

Roman city near Naples, Italy, which was buried during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.

Polycarp

elderly martyr who refused to blaspheme. Would not refer to caesar as lord

retiarius

gladiator who fought with a net and trident

Rudis

wooden sword recieved by a gladiator who achieved earning his freedom or retirement

Sabine Women

snatched from their families at a religious festival to populate Rome; hearts and minds won over by violence followed by sweet words and childbearing

secutor(es)

The chaser
Large Rectangular Shields
Gladius
Two small holes in the helmetThe helmet was round and smooth so the net of the Retiarius could not ensnare the secutor.
Retarius a main competetor

Seneca the Younger

A prose writer from Spain, an orator,a philosopher, and a playwrite. Was Nero's tutor and a stoic philsopher. Focus on the "good life" and "duty". Wrote bombastic and horrific tragedies.

Spartacus

famous gladiator in Roman history
Thracian slave who led an uprising of slaves against Roman state

spectaculum/ spectacle

the show or festival put on

Spina/euripus

- Spina: The long barrier which the racers raced around
-euripus: - The canal in the spina, represents the sea

summa rudis

the most elite of retired gladiators. ultimately the summa rudis officials could stop a game if a gladiator was going to be too seriously wounded, compel gladiators to fight on, or defer the decision to the editor. Retired gladiators who became summa rudis evidently achieved fame and wealth in their second careers as officials of the combats.

Tertullian

christian author from late imperial area. "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." First Christian author to produce an extensive corpus of Latin Christian literature

Thraex

carried a small shield and a curved sword

Titus

first roman emperor to inherit the position form his blood father

tiro/tyro

Novice gladiator

venatio

a show purporting to a wild animal hunt combined with display of exotic creatures. combats between animals or between men and animals

venator

performer specializing in animal combat

Vespasian

founder of the flavain dynasty. took over after nero, ruled for around 10 years, and sent to titus to conquer jerusalem

Via Appia (Appian Way)

was one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic

Dictator

a ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained power by force.

Imperator/Emperor

commander