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A vomitorium (plural: vomitoria) is a passage situated below or behind a tier of seats in an amphitheatre, through which crowds can "spew out" at the end of a performance.
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How was vomitorium used?
A vomitorium is an entrance in an amphitheater that allows large crowds easy access their seats.
How was vomit in vomitoriums disposed of?
First, let's clarify the meaning of vomitorium. It is not a room designated for vomiting. That is an urban legend. A vomitorium is an entrance to an amphitheater. However, if a person should actually vomit in a vomitorium, one would think the vomit would be cleaned up the same manner as it would be cleaned up anywhere else.
Do the roman baths in Bath England have a vomitorium?
No, just regular doors. Vomitoriums were used in the Colosseum.
Where do Romans vomit after a meal?
They would more than likely go to a latrine or a clean bowl if they were feeling ill after a meal, the same as you or I . Contrary to popular myth, the Romans did not have a special room to go and throw up so they could eat more. This misconception comes from the Latin word "vomitorium", which comes from the verb meaning "to spew" or to "gush out". In reality a vomitorium was an exit from the Colosseum. After the events, the people would spew out of the arena, therefore the name vomitorium. It had nothing at all to do with a household room.
What is a vomitarium?
Apparently a vomitarium was a small room where you could go to be sick, and then resume eating your ten course banquet. Info supplied by my favorite OT. No such thing as a vomitarium, the word is vomitorium and its an exit passageway in a building.
What is the name of the room in ancient rome were people would throw up?
There was no such thing. Some "Hollywood Historian" came up with the idea and unfortunately it stuck. The word you're thinking of is vomitorium, but it meant the exits from the Colosseum. When the entertainment was over, the exits would 'spew' out the people and so got the name. It had absolutely nothing to do with a Roman home.
Did roman eat until they were full then visit a room called a vomitorium to vomit?
No, there was no such room designated for vomiting in Roman times. There were, however, passages called "vomitoria" through which crowds would enter and exit stadiums. And it does seem, as suggested by passages from Seneca and Cicero, that vomiting was actually practiced in decadence and not too unusual. But there was no relation between the vomitoria and vomiting, it is simply a misconception based on assumptions.
How did the ancient Romans eat more than their stomachs could hold at feasts?
The ancient Romans ate more than their stomachs could hold at feasts by vomiting every so often. They went to a room called a vomitorium and threw up. They used a stick with a feather on the end to tickle their tonsils and vomited into a bowl. When their stomach was empty they went back to the feast and ate more.There is a common misconception that ancient Romans designated spaces called vomitoria for the purpose of actual vomiting, as part of a binge and purgecycle.[2] According to Cicero, Julius Caesar escaped an assassination attempt because he felt ill after dinner. Instead of going to the latrine, where his assassins were waiting, he went to his bedroom and avoided assassination.[3] This may be the origin of the misconception.
How did the vomitory get its name?
The term vomitorium appeared late in Roman history, at the end of the fourth century A.D. Macrobius used it in reference the passages situated below or behind a tier of seats in an amphitheatre through which big crowds could exit rapidly at the end of the games. He said that they "disgorged" patrons to their seats. Although the Latin verb means to vomit, throw up, it can also mean 'to belch; to eject from any hollow place; to emit; to spew out.' Therefore, these passages could disgorge, spew out, large crowds. The vomitoria (plural of vomitotium) at the Colosseum in Rome were so efficiently designed, with 76 of them at ground level, that the 50,000 spectators could be filled into or emptied from the venue in just 15 minutes. Lewis Mumford in his 1961 "The City in History" spread the misconception that the term first referred to a room adjacent to the dining room where gluttonous eaters could "throw up the contents of their stomach in order to return to their couches [and continue to eat]." He claimed that the word come to be associated with amphitheatre exists only later. This is wrong. Although rich Romans held lavish dinner parties and the guests ate while reclining, there was no purging. Eating while reclining was thought to be good for the digestion. This misconception was tied to the wider misconstrued image of decadence, debauchery and excess of the Romans which was popular at the time.
What did Romans eat?
It depends, the rich people ate:Meats: Beef, Veil, and LambFish: Carp, Mackerel, and RaysPoultry: Chicken, Goose, and DuckDrinks: Calda, Mulsum, Posca, and WineVegetables: Artichokes, Mushrooms, Turnips, Asparagus, Leeks, Olives, Beans, Lentils, Onions, Beets, Parsnips, and Radishes.Fruits: Almonds, Apples, Plums, Pomegranates, Figs, Grapes, and Pears.And the poor people ate:Anything they could grow on their own land, if they had enough money they would go out and buy vegetables and meat but if they were very poor, they would eat porridge and bread. Many Romans were vegetarians because they couldn't afford meat.Romans were healthy for the most part. They ate grains, fruits including figs and pears, and nuts. Also, they ate fish, chicken, and other kinds of meat. Romans had different types of bread that they cooked.They also ate shellfish, eggs wheat pancakes. Libae(small rolls)and picenian bread,(fine biscuits). They drank wine called mulsum (wine sweetned with honey).
The Colosseum What is notable about its construction?
The Colosseum is elliptic in shape. It is huge: it is 187.5X159.5 metres (615x523 ft.). It could host 50,000 spectators. It height is 48.5 metres (159 ft.), but it probably was originally 52 metres high (177ft.). Three tiers have 80 arches with Doric columns on the first, Ionic ones on the second and Corinthian ones on the third. The fourth tier is walled as had 40 windows. The arches on the first tier provided 80 entrances: 76 numbered entrances for the general public (plastered and painted white and red) and four un-numbered grand entrances decorated with stuccoes. One entrance was for the magistrates (officers of state). One was the ceremonial entrance for the emperor, the senators and the Vestal Virgins. One entrance gave direct access to the arena via the Gate of death of Porta Libitina (Gate of Libitina, the goddess of funerals). Dead gladiators and animals were taken through this exit. A tunnel connected the gate to the Spoliarium, a room under the arena, where the bodies of the gladiators were stripped and the weapons and armour were taken. One entrance also led directly to the arena, but via the Gate of Life or Porta Sanaviva. It was used for the procession of gladiators into the arena and their exit. A tunnel connected the gate to the Ludus Magnus gladiator school, 60 meters (180 feet) to the east. The seating was divided into 5 horizontal sectors. The lowest one was reserved for the senators and their families. The other ones were assigned by social status, with poorer people sitting at a higher level. Women sat on steps under a portico, separated from the men. The poor sat on a terrace above the portico. They had the worst view and the worst seats. Their lower steps were of marble and the higher ones were made of wood. The passages to the seats were called the vomitorium (plural: vomitoria) and were below or behind the tiers of seats. The crowds could "spit or vomit there. . The actual arena was 86x54 metres (282x177 feet) and was separated from the seating by a 4 metre high platform. Below the floor there were 12 corridors arranged symmetrically around the two sides. This area hosted the machinery and the animals used for the games. At the two opposite ends there were two monumental entrances for the gladiators and the animals which were too heavy to be hoisted from below the arena. The arena could be flooded for mock naval battles. After a fight the arena was covered with sand to soak up the blood.
What is the design history of the Roman Colosseum and who were its Architects?
The name of the architect is unknown. The actual name of the Colosseum was Flavian Amphitheatre (Amphitheatrum Flavium). It was named after the three emperors of the Flavian dynasty. Vespasian (reigned 69-79) commissioned it, his son Titus (reigned 79-81) completed it and Domitian, Titus's younger brother (reigned 81-86) made modifications. Construction started in 72 and it was inaugurated in 80. It is thought that the nickname Colosseum originated from a gigantic statue of Nero nearby which was called Colossus and was named after the Colossus of Rhodes. The construction of the Flavian Amphitheatre involved the drainage of an artificial lake Nero had made in front of his enormous palace, the Domus Aurea (golden House). Drains were built 8m (26ft) below surface to channel the streams which flow through the valley. Then elliptic foundations made of concrete: under the outer walls and seating, they are 12-13m (39-42ft) deep. Under of the arena, they are 4m (13 ft) deep, and designed in strips beneath concentric walls. Even in this grand design, costs were carefully controlled. Amphitheatre is elliptic in shape, measured 187.5X159.5 metres (615x523 ft.) and could host 50,000 spectators. It height is 48.5 metres (159 ft.), but it probably was originally 52 metres high (177ft.). Three tiers have 80 arches with Doric columns on first, Ionic ones on the second and Corinthian ones on the third. The arches on the first tier provided The arches on the first tier provided 80 entrances: 76 numbered entrances for the general public (plastered and painted white and red) and four un-numbered grand entrances were decorated stuccoes. One entrance was the magistrates (officers of state). One was the ceremonial entrance for the emperor, the senators and the Vestal Virgins. One entrance gave direct access to the arena via the Gate of death of Porta Libitina (Gate of Libitina, the goddess of funerals). Dead gladiators and animals were taken through this exit. A tunnel connected the gate to the Spoliarium, a room under the arena, where the bodies of the gladiators were stripped and the weapons and armour. One entrance also led directly to the arena, but via the Gate of Life or Porta Sanaviva. It was sued for the procession of gladiators into the arena and their exit. A tunnel connected the gate to the Ludus Magnus gladiator school, 60 meters (180 feet) to the east. The fourth tier is walled as had 40 windows. The seating was divided into 5 horizontal sectors. The lowest one was reserved for the senators and their families. The other ones were assigned by social status, with poorer people sitting at a higher level. Women sat on steps under a portico, separated from the men. The poor sat on a terrace above the portico. They had the worst view and the worst seats. Their lower steps were of marble and the higher ones were made of wood. The passages to the seats were called the vomitorium (plural: vomitoria) and were below or behind the tiers of seats. The crowds could spit or vomit. The actual arena was 86x54 metres (282x177 feet) and was separated from the seating by a 4 metre high platform. Below the floor there were 12 corridors arranged symmetrically around the two sides. This area hosted the machinery and the animals used for the games. At the two opposite ends there were two monumental entrances for the gladiators and the animals which were too heavy to be hoisted from below the arena. The arena could be flooded for mock naval battles. After a fight the arena was covered with sand to soak up the blood.
