naumachia

[ naw-mey-kee-uh ]

/ nɔˈmeɪ ki ə /

a mock sea fight, given as a spectacle among the ancient Romans.

a place for presenting such spectacles.

Origin of naumachia

1590–1600; < Latin: mock naval battle < Greek naumachía a sea fight, equivalent to naû(s) ship + mách(ē) battle, fight + -ia -ia

After the Naumachia, the moon rose, and the Chinese lanterns were lighted.

Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2) |John Ashton.
The main street itself was in many parts filled completely, and around the Naumachia Augusta great heaps were piled up.

Quo Vadis |Henryk Sienkiewicz
In a naumachia given by Nero, there were sea-monsters swimming about in the artificial lake.

Ocean's Story; or Triumphs of Thirty Centuries |Edward Rowland
Sometimes the vast arena was flooded with water, and naumachia or sea-fights were exhibited.

Valeria |William Henry Withrow

Another form of the spectacle for the entertainment of the Roman public was the naumachia, or naval battle.

The Historical Child |Oscar Chrisman

naumachia

/ (nɔːˈmeɪkɪə) /

a mock sea fight performed as an entertainment

an artificial lake used in such a spectacle

C16: via Latin from Greek naumakhia, from naus ship + makhē battle