Power and Spectacle
What ancient site did the Colosseum get built on top of?
The future site of Nero's former palace grounds
What did Nero name his new Rome based Greek style contest?
The Neronian Games
What Latin term describes the once in a lifetime religious games festival?
Ludi Saeculares
What is the general word for Roman public games?
Ludi
Who said only the Greeks know how to listen?
Nero
According to Martial, who did the new amphitheater truly belong to?
The people of Rome
Name one of the three categories included in the Neronian Games.
Musical, gymnastic, or equestrian
What came first at the Ludi Saeculares before any games began?
Sacrifices to the gods
What word describes a wild animal hunt staged in the arena?
Venatio
Which poet wrote that Rome had been given back to Rome?
Martial
What did emperors scatter to the crowd during games to win their favor?
Gifts such as food, tokens, and prizes
What Roman youth riding drill was based on Greek style funeral games?
The ludus Troiae, or Trojan Game
What did Martial claim some staged executions in the arena resembled?
Reenactments of Greek myths
What is the specific term for a gladiatorial show?
Munus
Which writer compared the arena to a form of false worship?
Tertullian
Which emperor gave gladiatorial games but refused to kill even the worst criminals?
Nero
What tradition did Greek athletes follow that Romans did not typically copy?
Competing nude
Which author argued Romans were more religious in the amphitheater than anywhere else?
Tertullian
What word describes sparing a defeated fighter and letting him live?
Missio
Whose tombstone joked that he died several times but never like this?
Leburna, a teacher of mimes
What was the real political purpose behind an emperor funding lavish games?
To win public loyalty and support
What did Nero break Greek custom to add at the Olympic festival?
A musical contest
What did Tertullian believe the arena truly represented, despite looking entertaining?
False religion
What is the Latin term for gifts scattered to the crowd?
Missilia
Who wrote to the emperor Trajan asking when an athlete's rewards should begin?
Pliny the Younger