Roman Games
What was the most popular event of the Roman Games...It was held at the circus Maxima
Chariot Racing
Who were most gladiators?
Slaves, prisoners of war, or criminals.
What does Persepolis mean
City of Persians.
Who was Osiris, and why was he central to burial practices?
God of the dead; his myth explained resurrection and shaped mummification and rituals
How did the layout of Persepolis reflect its function?
Built on a raised terrace with monumental halls, designed for ceremony and power display
Who built the Colosseum and when
Vespasian in 72AD
Which gladiator fought with net and trident?
Retiarius
Which kings built Persepolis? (there's 3)
Darius I, Xerxes I, and Artaxerxes I
What were the ka and ba?
Spiritual aspects of a person — the ka (life-force) needed the body; the ba (soul) could leave and return
How did the design of royal tombs change in the New Kingdom?
Pyramids were abandoned for hidden rock-cut tombs in the Valley of the Kings
From whom did the Romans adopt gladiatorial games, and what were they originally for?
The Etruscans, they began as funerary rites to honour the dead with blood offerings.
Which gladiator had a big shield (scutum) and short sword (gladius)?
Murmillo.
What was the main purpose of Persepolis?
To display royal power and act as a ceremonial/administrative centre
What was the purpose of the “Weighing of the Heart” ceremony?
To judge the deceased’s purity against the feather of Ma’at before Osiris
What does the Bisitun Inscription of Darius I reveal?
His legitimacy, victories, and the role of Ahuramazda in supporting his rule.
How were games used politically? who was responsible for developing them?
To win support and display power - responsibility of the aedile.
Who fought the retiarius with smooth helmet and sword?
Secutor.
What was the Apadana used for?
An audience hall where subject peoples presented tribute
How did mummification change in the New Kingdom?
Organs removed, brain extracted, resin applied, nails bound, arms crossed for royalty
How did Persepolis architecture reflect empire-wide influences?
Borrowed motifs from Mesopotamia, Greece, and Egypt to create a Persian style
What role did the lanista and gladiator schools (ludi) play in the organisation of the games?
Managed and trained gladiators in schools.
Who carried a curved sword (sica) and small shield?
Thraex (Thracian).
What do inscriptions and reliefs uncovered at Persepolis reveal?
They record Darius’ building works and show subject peoples bringing tribute
What do tomb paintings and texts like the Book of the Dead reveal about Egyptian beliefs?
They show faith in resurrection, moral judgement, and eternal life in the Fields of Reeds
What does the bent reveal about the change in pyramid architecture
A change from step pyramids to smooth pyramids.