Roman Coliseum
The Roman Coliseum; entertainment it’s bloodiest form. ... When the Romans conquered the Etruscans, the Roman people adopted many of their traditions, such as the funeral games. Funerals for wealthy Roman citizens began to include the mock combat. As time passed by, the patricians enjoyed these games so much that they included them in festivals, not just funeral’s for the death of a powerful Roman. ... The Coliseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, was built in Rome between 69 and 79 AD. ... The roof was made of canvas and could be raised and lowered as needed by specially trained Roman sailors. ... From the fourth story of the Coliseum, wooden masts supported a linen overhead that protected spectators from the sun. The Coliseum boasted seats of marble for the upper class citizens, and benches of wood for the lower class. ... Typically, in the earlier days of the Coliseum, slaves were the only combatants who fought in the arena. ... There were many different types of gladiators who fought in the Coliseum, who were divided into four main classes. ... “At Vast expense, the Roman government imported animals from every corner of the known world—tigers from India, leopards from Asia minor; lions, elephants and other creatures from Africa; wild bulls from Northern Europe; and so on. ... The animals used were usually taken from Africa, but also from other parts of the Roman Empire. ... The games that took place in the coliseum were among the bloodiest displays of amusement ever performed. Professional wrestling and boxing of today do not even come close to the horrible sights that the Roman people were so obsessed with. Men, women and children flocked to the coliseum in Rome from all different ethnic and financial backgrounds to watch men brutally attacking each other, shedding blood, and being slaughtered for the sake of the publics’ amusement. ... Although the original purpose of the Coliseum was entertainment, it was transformed into a medieval fortress in the sixth century AD after being damaged by an earthquake. ... The Coliseum is one of its most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Although it survives only as a ruin, it still rates as one of the finest examples of Roman architecture and engineering. ... The coliseum fascinates me in how the Romans went to extreme lengths to fill this hunger. Although it’s unlikely, I wouldn’t mind going back to the Roman Empire days, and sitting back in the cool midday sun inside the great Coliseum and watching a good ol’ gladiator fight myself.