Il ColosseoText and pictures by Danielle Deming

Hum 2210

The Flavian amphitheater• The Coliseum was originally named

the Flavian Theater. The gladiatorial games held here are the most important and exciting games that the Roman empire had to offer its people.

• These games are open to the public, from rich to poor.

The Coliseum The Roman emperor Vespasian ordered its erection about 70 AD. It took roughly 10 years to finish (80 AD), during Emperor Titus’ time.

Structure of Coliseum• Dome shaped,

like an ellipse• Up to 500,000 spectators• Used all 3 types of Greek columns:

– First tier: Doric, – Second tier: Ionic,– Third tier: Corinthian

Inside the Stadium

The Arena underground passagesUnderneath the wooden arena floor, secret passages, trap doors

and holding rooms to make the battle more interesting.

GATE OF LIFE

Types of Gladiatorial Fights • Most were usually prisoners of war.; if

they win they earn their freedom.• Most common Gladiator types:

–Thracians–Mirmillones–Retiarii–Secutores

RETARIUS

Spartacus • Spartacus was first a

slave, but was quickly thrown into the gladiatorial scene.

• He caused a revolt within his gladiatorial school in 70-80 AD, when they took refuge in Mt. Vesuvius. Eventually, the Roman army invaded their camp and killed Spartacus in 71 AD.

Other Gladiators• Emperors often fought in the arena to win

over the public, such as Commodus, Titus and Hadrian.

• An icon to the public was Flamma, who won his freedom four times until he “retired”. He won 21 fights and had 9 draws.

• Amazons were female gladiators who fought without a helmet and fought with a sword and shield.

An Amazon Gladiator(representation)

A typical Gladiatorial Event• Starting during the day, a gladiatorial

event begins with an exotic animal show, exhibiting animals from all over Africa, Europe and Asia.

• Bestarii gladiators will usually fight whatever animals are brought for the day.

• At noon, executions will take place.• In the afternoon, the gladiatorial

fights take place.

The beginning…• The gladiatorial games were at first

to honor the God Pluto (Hades), the Roman god of death. Romans believed the sacrifices of the slaves would please the gods and ensure a satisfactory afterlife. Yet, the public began to enjoy them simply for entertainment instead of a religious practice, which kept the tradition thriving.

And the end• The Roman Emperor Honorius ended

the gladiatorial games because of the violence that surrounded them, on and off the arena. An Egyptian monk was killed because of his violent outburst against the games.

The Coliseum Today

Due to natural disasters such as earthquakes and storms, damage to the Coliseum was inevitable. The Christians also took pieces from its structures to build churches and cathedrals, like the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica. They would take metal from the stadium to create weapons to use during the crusades of the Middle Ages.