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WorksheetsCLC Roman Life Stage 8 - Gladiators
Total questions: 21
Worksheet time: 13mins
Which of the following would be found in the amphitheatre at Pompeii?
Tick all that apply
tiers of seats
a stage
an awning to cover part of the seating area
an arena
How many people could the arena in Pompeii hold?
About half the population of the town
Slightly less than the whole population of the town
Slightly more than the whole population of the town
The answer is not known, because the amphitheatre has not been fully excavated
How much did it cost a citizen to attend the arena in Pompeii?
About 10 denarii
About 10 sestertii
About 10 hours' pay
Nothing: shows were free
How were gladiatorial shows advertised?
Tick all the correct answers
On notice boards in the forum
By word-of-mouth
Details were painted on the walls
Letters were sent to people's homes
Which was the correct order of events on the day of a show?
fighting, religious ceremony, trumpet blast, parade
trumpet blast, religious ceremony, parade, fighting
religious ceremony, trumpet blast, fighting, parade
parade, trumpet blast, religious ceremony, fighting
Which types of people could become gladiators?
Tick all that apply
prisoners of war
condemned criminals
debtors
ex-slaves
'At least one gladiator died in every gladiatorial fight' - True or False?
True
False
Who decided whether a gladiator should die at the end of a fight?
There was no 'decision': it was a fight to the death, and the winner always killed the loser
The spectators decided the fate of the loser by giving a 'thumbs up' or 'thumbs down' signal
The sponsor of the show decided whether a loser should be killed
True or False: it was a disgrace for a gladiator to have lost a fight and to have been spared. He would never recover from the shame
True
False
Which of the following is (probably) correct?
Tick any TWO options
Thumbs up meant 'let him live'
Thumbs up meant 'let him die'
Thumbs down meant 'let him live'
Thumbs down meant 'let him die'
Write down the Latin phrase which means 'the girls' heartthrob'
(spelling counts - but DON'T include accents!)
(a)
A retiring gladiator would be awarded ...
... a large sum of money
... his own house
... a wooden sword
... the head of his last opponent
A 'Thracian' gladiator carried a
oblong shield, short sword
round shield, curved sword or dagger
helmet with fish-shaped crest
net and trident
A 'Samnite' gladiator carried a
oblong shield, short sword
round shield, curved sword or dagger
helmet with fish-shaped crest
net and trident
A 'Murmillo' gladiator carried a
oblong shield, short sword
round shield, curved sword or dagger
helmet with fish-shaped crest
net and trident
A 'retiarius' gladiator carried a
oblong shield, short sword
round shield, curved sword or dagger
helmet with fish-shaped crest
net and trident
What sort of gladiator was a 'bestiarius' ?
An animal hunter
A female gladiator
A charioteer
An archer
Which of the following might have been killed at a 'venatio'?
Tick all that apply
a murmillo
a bestiarius
a hare
a lion
Which Roman historian described the riot at Pompeii in 59AD?
(a)
Who was involved in the riot?
Tick all that apply
Pompeians
Nucerians
Samnites
Thracians
Greeks
As a result of the riot at Pompeii, gladiatorial shows were banned there for 10 years.
Do you think this punishment was fair?
Too lenient
Too harsh
About right
