By: Chris Aikins and Connor Holt

Coliseum

Construction started around 70-72 under Emperor Vespasian Largest amphitheatre in Rome Coliseum is used for Gladiatorial games Third story completed by the time Vespasian died Top level was finished and building was inaugurated by Vespasian’s son,

Titus, in 80 B.C Coliseum was badly damaged by a major fire caused by lighting in 217 A.D Fire destroyed upper wooden levels of the coliseum’s interior Coliseum was fully repaired in 320 A.D Coliseum had to be repaired again because of a major earthquake The Arena of the coliseum was used for contests until well into the 6th

century Was built on the site of an artificial lake Was given its name because of the giant statue of Nero 55,000 people could enter the building 80 entrances and exits Upper storey of the coliseum was for lower class and women Lowest storey was reserved for rich citizens

FactsFacts Games consist of Roman chariot racing, gladiator fights , public executions, and “sea Games consist of Roman chariot racing, gladiator fights , public executions, and “sea

battles”( which actually lake naval battles)battles”( which actually lake naval battles) Chariot racing has teams and colors (white, green, red, or blue)Chariot racing has teams and colors (white, green, red, or blue) Originated as funeral gamesOriginated as funeral games Gladiators were mostly unfree individuals Gladiators were mostly unfree individuals Some Gladiators were volunteers( Even Emperors)Some Gladiators were volunteers( Even Emperors) Gladiators were generally regarded as beneath the law and unrespectable citizensGladiators were generally regarded as beneath the law and unrespectable citizens Most gladiators became popular heroesMost gladiators became popular heroes Some gladiators could be freed and either continue to fight , be a gladiator trainer, or become a Some gladiators could be freed and either continue to fight , be a gladiator trainer, or become a

bodyguard for the wealthybodyguard for the wealthy There are four types of gladiators: Thracian, Secutor, Retiarius, BestiariusThere are four types of gladiators: Thracian, Secutor, Retiarius, Bestiarius Thracians have a wide-brimmed crested helmet with a visor, high greaves on both legs, arm Thracians have a wide-brimmed crested helmet with a visor, high greaves on both legs, arm

protector, very small shield, and a short curved swordprotector, very small shield, and a short curved sword Secutors have a egg shaped helmet with round eye holes, greave on one leg, arm protector, Secutors have a egg shaped helmet with round eye holes, greave on one leg, arm protector,

legionary-style shield and swordlegionary-style shield and sword Secutors are often called “chasers”Secutors are often called “chasers” Retiarius have a arm and shoulder protector, large net, trident, small dagger, no helmet and is very Retiarius have a arm and shoulder protector, large net, trident, small dagger, no helmet and is very

mobilemobile Bestiarius have small leather armor, a whip and a sword or daggerBestiarius have small leather armor, a whip and a sword or dagger Bestiarius was the only type of gladiators to be trained to handle and fight wild animals and was the Bestiarius was the only type of gladiators to be trained to handle and fight wild animals and was the

lowest ranking gladiator typelowest ranking gladiator type Criminals were executed during the annual lunch break of the games by being killed by animals, Criminals were executed during the annual lunch break of the games by being killed by animals,

murdered through a mythological tales, or fight a professional gladiator with no previous training murdered through a mythological tales, or fight a professional gladiator with no previous training

Circus Maximus

Facts

Mainly used for Chariot Races Romulus first introduced Chariot Races Largest Stadium in Ancient Rome Bronze dolphins were used to count the number of laps The structure was hit by three fires Was also used for gladiatorial combats The structure is three stories high The seating area was built in marble Circus Maximus is 600m long and 150m wide The colors of Chariot Racers represented the seasons The last race at Circus Maximus was held in 549 A.D Races were held at Circus Maximus for almost a millennium

Works Cited

Auguet, Roland. Cruelty and Civilization: The Roman Games. London: Allen and Unwin, 1972.

A view on cities. Circus Maximus Barton, Carlin A. The Sorrows of the Ancient Romans: The Gladiator

and the Monster. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1993. Futrell, Alison. Blood in the Arena: The Spectacle of Roman Power.

Austin: University of Texas Press, 1997. Grant, Michael. Gladiators. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1967. Harris, H. A. Sport in Greece and Rome. Aspects of Greek and

Roman Life. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1972. Pearson, John. Arena: The Story of the Colosseum. New York:

McGraw-Hill, 1973. Pilli, Maya. Roman coliseum. Buzzle.com Wiedemann, Thomas. Emperors and Gladiators. London:

Routledge, 1992. Wistrand, Magnus. Entertainment and Violence in Ancient Rome:

The Attitudes of Roman Writers of the First Century A. D. Göteburg: Acta Universitatis Gothoburgensis Universitatis, 1992.

The End