Roman Amusements
Created by Lorrie Cousins for Ancient History Encyclopedia
This activity has been designed to fit a 20 minutes slot for your class. It is part of our Daily Life in Ancient Rome teaching pack where you can find:
• Complete lesson plans, with teachers’ instructions • Multiple choice quiz questions in an excel format • Glossary of keywords and concepts in an excel format • Open questions adaptable for debates, presentations and essays • Recommended resources to provide you and your students a comprehensive list of trustworthy references on the topic (includes all media types: videos, texts, primary resources, maps, podcasts, 3D models, etc.)
Our Daily Life in Ancient Rome Pack covers the following topics: • Roman food • Roman housing • Roman daily life
• Roman Cena seating • Roman amusements
Should you need it, check out our “cheat sheets” to give your students such as tips to write a great essay or tools to make your life easier, such as marking grids.
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www.ancient.eu – Ancient Rome – Daily Life
Worksheet 1 Chariot Racing
Name Date
Complete the worksheet while watching the video “Roman Entertainment” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abt8bFBnwto.
a) Where were chariot races held?
b) Was chariot racing expensive? Why?
c) How do we know what chariot racers/chariot racing was like?
d) Name the four factions.
e) Which were the favorites?
f) Describe the Circus Maximus.
g) How many laps were in a race? Give a brief description.
www.ancient.eu – Ancient Rome – Daily Life
Worksheet 2 Amphitheaters
Name Date
Complete the worksheet while watching the video “Roman Entertainment” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abt8bFBnwto.
a) From where does the word ‘arena’ come?
b) From where were gladiator events adopted?
c) Who became gladiators?
d) Describe the four main types of gladiators:
Murmillo
Retiarius
Samnite
Thracian
e) What were bestiarii?
f) Describe a day at the games.
g) Describe an amphitheater.
www.ancient.eu – Ancient Rome – Daily Life
Worksheet 3 Roman Baths
Name Date
Complete the worksheet while watching the video “Roman Entertainment” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abt8bFBnwto.
a) What are two modern equivalents for baths?
b) What were the...
Tepidarium
Frigidarium
Calidarium
c) How was the calidarium heated?
d) Besides bathing what went on at the baths?
www.ancient.eu – Ancient Rome – Daily Life
Answer Keys Worksheet 1 – Chariot Racing
Complete the worksheet while watching the video “Roman Entertainment” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abt8bFBnwto.
a) Where were chariot races held?
Hippodromes or circuses
b) Was chariot racing expensive? Why?
Expensive: because they had to house, feed, train, maintain horses, chariots, charioteers They could become profitable thanks to winnings from races and betting Charioteers could become rich and famous
c) How do we know what chariot racers/chariot racing was like?
Images are found on sculptures, mosaics, molded glassware
d) Name the four factions.
Blues, Greens, Whites, Reds
e) Which were the favorites?
Greens and Blues
f) Describe the Circus Maximus.
Tiers of seating built around a u-shaped arena Spina was ornamental barrier in the middle of arena Metae were turning posts at each end of the spina Starting gates were at one end of the Circus
g) How many laps were in a race? Give a brief description
7 laps Lap markers were removed after each lap of race Lap markers were dolphins and eggs (doesn’t say this in video but shows a picture of dolphins)
www.ancient.eu – Ancient Rome – Daily Life
Answer Keys Worksheet 2 - Amphitheaters
Complete the worksheet while watching the video “Roman Entertainment” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abt8bFBnwto.
a) From where does the word ‘arena’ come?
From the Latin word for sand (harena) which was placed on the floor to soak up blood
b) From where were gladiator events adopted?
From Etruscan funeral rites
c) Who became gladiators?
Condemned criminals, prisoners of war, volunteers for fee
d) Describe the four main types of gladiators:
Murmillo Helmet with fish crest, oblong shield, sword; fought retiarius
Retiarius Net, trident or dagger; fought murmillo
Samnite Sword, visored helmet, oblong shield; fought murmillo and Thracian
Thracian Curved scimitar, round shield; fought murmillo
e) What were bestiarii?
Beast hunters who fought exotic animals
f) Describe a day at the games.
Morning--beast hunts Lunch time--convicted criminals Afternoon--gladiator events Mock naval battles were also held
g) Describe an amphitheater.
Oval or elliptical in shape Sloped seating was used which was supported by vaulted staircases Usually constructed at the edge of city due to size or outside of walls Awning provided shade for spectators Areas below floor provided storage for men and animals with trap doors www.ancient.eu – Ancient Rome – Daily Life
Answer Keys Worksheet 3 – Roman Baths
Complete the worksheet while watching the video “Roman Entertainment” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abt8bFBnwtoBaths
a) What are two modern equivalents for baths?
Fitness clubs or community centers
b) What were the...
Tepidarium Large vaulted moderately heated hall with pool
Frigidarium Large cool swimming pool located on side of calidarium
Calidarium Hot bathing pool
c) How was the calidarium heated?
Hypocaust system: hot air, produced by furnace, is circulated below the raised floor of a room thus heating the floor and the room
d) Besides bathing what went on at the baths?
Shops such as food and clothing, libraries, gardens
www.ancient.eu – Ancient Rome – Daily Life