Roman Gladiators

What gesture did the priestesses of Rome's religion use to decide the fate of a fallen gladiator?

• Thumbs down

• Thumbs up

• Waving a flag

• Clapping hands

What was the primary purpose of the Roman games according to the passage?

• To entertain the poor and unemployed

• To train soldiers for war

• To celebrate religious festivals

• To honor the emperor

Where were the gladiatorial contests held in Rome?

• The Coliseum

• The Circus Maximus

• The Roman Forum

• The Pantheon

What type of animals were sometimes included in gladiatorial contests?

• Bears, rhinos, tigers, elephants, and giraffes

• Lions, wolves, and foxes

• Cows, sheep, and goats

• Dogs, cats, and rabbits

What did the author Juvenal mean by 'bread and circuses'?

• People were more interested in entertainment and free food than important issues

• People were focused on agriculture and farming

• People were interested in building new circuses

• People were concerned about the quality of bread

The gladiators themselves were usually slaves, criminals or ______________.

• volunteers

• vagrants

• demoted officials

• prisoners of war

Answer all parts of this question in video, if possible: Do you think the Roman Games and circuses were too brutal? Why? Do you see any similarities in the games we have today? Could you have watched one of these matches? Why or why not?

1 min video

The original meaning of "circus" was a Roman ______________.

• racetrack

• swimming pool

• comedy show

• aqueduct