On Second Thought...

Naumachia is not a good word. It's not so much a "mock sea fight," which sounds like a lovely evening of theatrical entertainment, as it is a hideous, sadistic bloodbath: an enormous battle to the death staged for the benefit of Caesar, Claudius, the usual suspects. Thousands of slaves and condemned prisoners were involved. Well, I guess I shouldn't blame the word, but I'm sorry, naumachia, I no longer love you.