The "naumachia" was one of the shows that Romans have organized to entertain the people. The show consisted in a naval battle. The first was organized by Julio Caesar in the 46 b.C., during the celebrations of his triumph. The event was taken in the "Campus Martius" in Rome, that was flooded by river Tevere.
In this battle there were used "biremi", "triremi" and "quadriremi" ships. There were about 2000 sailors fighters and 4000 rowers; these people were sentenced to death.
Years later, Augustus organized again the same event.
Emperor Claudius organized a naumachia in the lake Fucino.
These events were representations of historical battles, where each fleet represented a nation. Caesar recreated a battle between Egyptians and Phoenicians, while Augustus did the same with Athenians and Persians.
Maybe since Emperor Nero, Romans started to organize these events in the amphitheatre. For sure we know that Emperor Tito did one in the Colosseum.
Bibliography
- A. M. Liberati, s. v. Naumachia Augusti, in E. Steinby (éd.), Lexicon topographicum urbis Romae
- L. Cordischi, Note in margine di topografia romana: « Codeta, minor Codeta » e « Naumachia Caesaris », Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica comunale di Roma
- J.-Cl. Golvin, L'amphithéâtre romain. Essai sur la théorisation de sa forme et de ses fonctions
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