Apodyterium – the changing room at the Baths.
Atrium – the central part of a Roman house, generally decked with fountains, a pool, and statues of the gods.
Avernus – the underworld.
Baths – the public place where the hygiene-conscious Romans bathed, exercised, and enjoyed massages. Games were often played, and the Baths was considered a location for socializing.
Bibliotheca – the library in a Roman home.
Boudica – The queen of the Iceni tribe in ancient Britain. Her rebellion against Rome sparked an uprising that climaxed into the Battle of Watling Street.
Brittania – the Roman name for Britain.
Caldarium – section of the Baths where bathers could enjoy steaming hot water.
Camulodunium, Londinium, and Verulamium – Roman settlements in Britain that were overthrown and pillaged by Queen Boudicca and the Iceni.
Castagatio – the military discipline of a centurion striking a legionary over the back with his grape-vine staff of office.
Castra Praetoria – barracks and training grounds of the Praetorian Guard.
Centurion – Roman officer commanding 80-480 legionaries, known as a century. The century was comprised of a conteburnium (8 men). Ranked below a tribune.
Cohort – company of soldiers consisting of 480 men, commanded by a centurion.
Crucifixion – a form of execution, in which the unfortunate victim is nailed to a cross. The purpose is to restrict breathing, resulting in the lungs filling with fluid. After many agonizing hours or even days, the victim dies of suffocation.
Culina – kitchen.
Denarii/Denarius – a small silver coin, the most common coin for circulation. The Bible refers to this coin as a day’s wages in Matthew 20:2 and John 12:5. It is also referenced in the book of Revelation.
Domus – a wealthy home or mansion of a Roman citizen.
Druids – The pagan cult dominating ancient Britain and many other parts of the world. Their religious practices included human sacrifice and were eventually outlawed by Rome.
Dupondius – a brass coin worth about one-eighth of a denarius.
Eagle (Aquila) – a prominent standard used in Rome, particularly for the legions. In many senses, it was worshipped.
Elysium – Roman/Greek form of heaven.
Flagellum – a small whip, often containing sharp pieces of glass. The term used to describe this form of beating is flagellation or scouring. It was often a prelude to crucifixion. Known as half-death, there was no limit under the law to the amount of times a victim could be struck. Slaves and criminals were often severally disfigured. Trauma, death by blood loss, and shock were all common results. Ritual flagellation was also practiced for Roman citizens.
Gladius – a Roman sword. Short and efficient, it was used primarily for stabbing.
Goths – Germans. Many of them were captured during Roman conquests and sold as slaves.
Imperial Forum(Fora) – the public square (or, more correctly, series of squares) and center of the Roman Republic and Empire. Located near the Roman Forum, it contained shops, temples, monuments, etc.
Judea – the term used to refer to the Roman province of Judea (Biblical Judah), Samaria and Idmea (Biblical Edom).
Lanista – trainer of the gladiators. Often, lanistas also worked with the legionaries.
Legionary – a private in the Roman army.
Mulsum – honeyed wine.
Optio – the officer directly below a centurion. He generally served as his centurion’s assistant.
Pallium – a cape worn by Roman men, considered suitable to be worn over the toga.
Patrician – a nobleman.
Peristyle – an area edging the gardens, not unlike our modern patios.
Peristylium – an open courtyard in a Roman home.
Pilum – Roman spear.
Plato – a philosopher in ancient Greece.
Plebians – often referred to by the slang term “plebs”, this was the commoner or middle class citizen of Rome. They were often the shopkeepers and laborers; the working class.
Praetorian Guard – the elite section of the Roman army which guarded the person of the emperor. They were considered the highest-trained company of soldiers in the entire army.
Prefect – an official of high rank; commander of the Praetorian Guard.
Probatio – basic training.
Pugio – a dagger.
Rod – an instrument of punishment in Rome, commonly used on slaves. Also the Caesars bore the Imperials Rod(s) called Fasces, signifying they had the power to punish whoever they chose. Though this is not commonly known, this symbol is used in many parts of our American government, including in the National Guard Bureau insignia.
Scourging – a form of beating that was considered commonplace in Rome. Brutally savage, it was reserved for criminals and slaves. Certain forms were also used with soldiers.
Stola – a sleeveless dress; a female garment.
Strigil – an instrument used by the Romans to scrape off the olive oil they used in place of soap.
Subura – slum district of Rome.
Suetonius – Gaius Suetonius Paullinus was the Roman commander who crushed the Iceni rebellion. His rigorous activities dealing with the Iceni were ultimately considered too harsh by Emperor Nero, resulting in his replacement.
Toga – a white garment worn by Roman citizens.
Tribune (military) – Roman officer commanding legions (5,400 – 16,000 men) comprised of cohorts (480 men) which were, in turn, comprised of centuries (80 men). Ranked below the legate, or, general of Praetorian rank.
Triclinium – the dining room.
Vale – Roman form of saying goodbye.
Vestibule – the entry way.
Vicus Jugarius – street meaning “street of the yoke makers”.
Vicus Tuscus – a main street meaning “Tuscus Road”.
Pagan Gods Referenced Throughout the Book
Anextiomarus – Druid/British god of protection.
Aphrodite – Greek goddess of love, beauty, protection, pleasure, and procreation. Her Roman equivalent is Venus.
Bacchus – the god of revelry, drinking/drunkenness, and pleasure.
Forest Spirits – the Britons worshipped countless gods, but they also revered nature. Trees, rocks, water–virtually everything–was thought to contain spirits.
Hercules – Roman version of the Greek god Hercales, son of Zeus (Roman equivalent Jupiter). Hercules was known for his many adventures and was a reproduction god. He was referenced in weddings and was a deity concerned with children and childbirth.
Janus – god of beginnings, transitions, and time. He often was portrayed with two faces, one looking to the future, and one to the past.
Jove /Jupiter – King of the gods. He was also the god of the sky and thunder. His symbols were the sacred eagle and thunderbolts.
Mars – God of war and agriculture. He was second only to Jupiter and Neptune. Not surprisingly, he was the patron god of the army.
Nemesis – Greek god of revenge; a sort of monster.
Neptune – Roman god of freshwater and the sea.
Pluto – ruler of the underworld.
Pollux – twin brother of Castor, he was the divine son of Zeus (Jupiter). To keep him and his brother together, he requests permission for them to become the constellation Gemini. The pair is regarded as the patrons of sailors and will appear as St. Elmo’s Fire. Strangely, they are both mortal and divine. They are particularly worshipped as gods of the athlete and helpers of mankind.
Venus – goddess of love, beauty, fertility, prosperity, sensuality. She was the mother of the Roman people. Julius Caesar claimed ancestry with her. Not surprisingly, her worship was a central part of Roman festivals and lifestyles.
Vesta – virgin goddess of the home, hearth, and family. Her presence was signified by the sacred flame, and she was ministered to by a group of women known as the Vestal Virgins. She was a symbol of and prote
ctor of Rome.
Names Referring to the One True God
Holy Trinity:
God the Father: Adonai, Jehovah, Jehovah-Rapha.
God the Son: Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christus.
God the Holy Spirit.
All usage of the term God refers to Elohim.
* * *
[1] This particular wrestling style was known as Pale or Greek wrestling. Points were scored when one player touched the ground with his back, hip, or shoulders (or upon being tapped out due to a winning submissive hold or being forced out of the wrestling grounds). Deliberate hitting/kicking was not allowed, although choke and other submissive holds were acceptable. Three points were required to win the match.
[2] Latin for “Remember the rod, slave!”
[3] The Romans took the meaning of Christian Communion literally and thought that they actually drank human blood and ate human flesh. The opinion that they were cannibalistic was among the many reasons Christianity became outlawed.
[4] Latin for “I am your servant”, a common manner of address with Roman slaves.
[5] Adoption was very common in Rome. Having no male heir was unthinkable. This was especially true in the upper senatorial class.
From the Dark to the Dawn Page 41
