Amphitheater Gladiatorial games OriginsEtruscans funerary games Tomb of

Amphitheater Gladiatorial games

Origins--Etruscans ( funerary games? ) • Tomb of the Augurs

Forum-games for Apollo ( bullfighting? ) • even after amphitheater

Aulus Clodius Flaccus • Duumvir and quinqennales In his second quinqennial term as duumvir at the Games of Apollo in the Forum he presented a procession of bulls, bull-fighters and goaders, a company of boxers; on the following day in the Amphitheater he presented by himself 30 pairs of athletes and five pairs of gladiators, and with his colleague he presented 35 pairs of gladiators and a hunt with bulls, bull-fighters wild boars and bears and in another hunt he presented various animals.

Amphitheater ( st 1 c. BCE)

Amphitheater • Quinqennales (Gaius Quinctius Valgus and Marcus Porcius) 70 BCE

Amphitheater • Earliest permanent amphitheater

Cavea and arena, 20, 000 spectators

Arena- 219 x 113 ft. • 1=ceremonial entrance

Access

Paintings ( 7 foot high parapet)

Gnaeus Alleius Nigidius Maius • After AD 62– provided a series of paintings of gladiators and hunting scenes to decorate the amphitheater. Dedicated at a performance of athletes.

Organization • • Permission– local authorities Procurator—organize games Financing– local official Advertising– edicta munerum reason for games, name of magistrate, time and place, and number of gladiators

Gladiators • Schools- Neronians ( Ludus Neronianus at Capua) • Familia (troup) • Lanista (troup manager) Numerius Festus Ampliatus

Reasons for Games • • • Commemoration of dead Dedication of new monument Celebration of military victor Fulfillment of magistrate’s obligation Honoring the emperor

Advertisement for Games Edicta Munera • Decimus Lucretius Satrius Valens, permanent priest of Prince Nero, the son of the emperor, is presenting ten pairs of gladiators. Decimus Lucretius Valens his son is presenting ten pairs of gladiators. They will fight at Pompeii on 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, April. There will be a wild-beast hunt according to the usual rules and awnings. • CIL 4. 3884 ( ILS 5145)

• Velarium • Food stalls

Gladiators • Schools- Neronians ( Ludus Neronianus at Capua) • Familia • Lanista

Types attested at Pompeii- Most popular=Thracian • Short curved sword • Small square shield • Arm guard and high Leggings. Helmet with Tail crest ending in Griffin’s head

Hoplomachos • Straight sword. Armor and small shield

Myrmillo

Secutor

Retiarius

Eques • Essedarius

Thracian vs. Murmillo

Barracks, V. 5. 3 ( 15 -20 gladiators)

House of the Gladiators ( not being used in final years of city)

House of the Gladiators (V. 5. 3)

Gladiator Barracks ( post 62? )

Gladiator Barracks • After earthquake

Equipment • • 15 helmets 14 shin guards 6 shoulder guards Daggers

Parade collection? • greaves

Order of Events • Morning- wild animal fights • Lunchtime- execution of condemned criminals • Afternoon-gladiatorial competition 1) Parade in show armor with music 2)warm-up 3) Inspection 4) Fighting—Usually 20 pairs

Stabian gate tomb

Monomachos • • Vicit Periit Missit Decision made by the editor (Munera sine missione) Dead- Porta Lititinensis/Victor- Palm and money 2 or 3 shows per year ( only ¼ have more than 10 fights

Gladiatorial program (Libelli muneri) ( graffito-CIL IV 2508) Threx, Myrmillo Pugnax NER III vicit Murranus NER III Periit Hoplomachus, Threx Cycnus IUL VIIII vicit Atticus IUL XIV missus est Essedarii Publius Ostorius LI missus est Scylax IUL XXVI vicit

Tomb grafitti ( Nolan games) • 3 dead out of 18 ( 1 in 6)

CIL 4. 8055 and 56 • Oceanus, a freedman winner of 13 matches, won/ Aracintus, a freedman, winner of 9 matches, lost • Severs, a freedman, winner of 13 matches lost/ Albanus, a freedman of Scaurus, winner of 19 matches won.

Riot 59 CE

Imperial Action • “The emperor himself ( Nero) instructed the Senate to investigate the affair. The Senate passed it to the consuls. When they reported back, the Senate debarred Pompeii from holding any similar gathering for ten years. Illegal associations in the town were also dissolved; and the sponsor of the show and his fellow instigators of the disorder were exiled” (Tacitus Annales 14. 17)

Nero lifts ban in 64 CE • Ban seems to have applied to gladiators only. Other athletes performed.

Terracotta figurines • Popularity

• tintinabulum

Sex Appeal ? • Celadus the Thracian makes all the girls sigh. (CIL 4. 4497) • Cresces, the net –man, holds the hearts of all the girls. (CIL 4356 (ILS 5142 d)

Palaestrae (Pompeii)

Grand Palaestra 460 x 350 ft. with central swimming pool

Grand Palaestra(Juventus? ) or spillover from amphitheater/latrines

Herculaneum Palaestra 360 ft. x 260 ft.