Helmet with the crest of a griffin (a mythical creature).
ReTiArIuS
A trident to skewer (pierce) opponents.
A net called a rete. SaMnItE
Helmet had a feathered plume and a visor.
2 Round shield called a parmula.
Curved sword or scimitar called a siccae.
Rectangular shield called a scutum.
An ocrea, or metal greave, on the lower left leg.
Fig 2.23 The three main types of gladiator
HISTORICAL EMPATHY Write an account on the life of a Roman patrician using the following headings: (a) Daily life
(b) What they wore
(c) Where they lived (d) Their pastimes
RECALL 1. Explain the following words: (a) Strigil (b) Palaestra
Theatre
Romans also attended the theatre. Playwrights such as Terence and Plautus were popular and their comedies were very successful. The Romans loved boisterous humour so violence was common in the plays of the time. The audience participated in the play by shouting, clapping and booing throughout. Only men could be actors. They wore brightly coloured masks so people could recognise their character and also because they were easier to see from the back of the theatre. Being an actor was seen as a very lowly profession and Emperor Nero caused
a scandal when he decided he wanted to perform in some plays. Fig 2.24 An example of a mask worn by actors in Rome.
45
A straight sword called a gladius.
2. Match the following words with their correct meaning: A. Frigidarium B. Caldarium C. Tepidarium
1. Hot room
2. Warm room 3. Cold room
3. Where in Rome did the chariot races take place? 4. Name the three types of gladiator.