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naumachia

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nau⋅ma⋅chi⋅a

[naw-mey-kee-uh]
–noun, plural -chi⋅ae [-kee-ee] , -chi⋅as.
1. a mock sea fight, given as a spectacle among the ancient Romans.
2. a place for presenting such spectacles.

Origin:
1590–1600; < L: mock naval battle < Gk naumachía a sea fight, equiv. to naû(s) ship + mách(ē) battle, fight + -ia -ia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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naumachia

in ancient Rome, a mimic sea battle and the specially constructed basin in which such a battle sometimes took place. These entertainments also took place in flooded amphitheatres. The opposing sides were prisoners of war or convicts, who fought until one side was destroyed.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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