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Glite Dictionary
naumachia

naumachia

9.9
A fake sea battle put on in a flooded arena for people to watch
  • noun
  • /nɔːˈmɑːkiə/
  • Archaic
: naumaquia
  • The Colosseum was sometimes flooded to stage an elaborate naumachia for the public.

Examples

  • Thousands of spectators gathered to watch the dramatic naumachia unfold in the arena.

  • The emperor ordered a grand naumachia to celebrate his victory.

  • The naumachia was a thrilling event for Roman spectators.

  • Many citizens attended the grand naumachia held at the Colosseum.

  • The Colosseum was sometimes flooded to stage an elaborate naumachia for the public.

  • The emperor ordered a grand naumachia to celebrate his victory.

  • Thousands of spectators gathered to watch the dramatic naumachia unfold in the arena.

Synonyms

naumachy
vsnaumachia
  • Archaic
9.9

A fake sea battle put on for people to watch

is the same in meaning but uses the standard spelling form

How Spectacular

spectacle
72 4.2
naumachia
  • Archaic
9.9
reenactment
27 6.6

Surface Forms

naumachia singular
naumachiae plural

Etymology

The word naumachia comes from the Greek roots naus 'ship' and machē 'battle', so it literally means a 'ship battle'. So in ancient Rome a naumachia was a staged sea fight, often in a flooded arena, put on for the public.