The
Collosseum
(also
known as the Flavian Amphitheater)
The
Collosseum was completed in LXXX
CE and was the largest arena in the Roman Empire.
It
is estimated that 500 000 people and 1 000 000 animals
died in the Collosseum during its history.
Roman
records show that during one particular festival, held
in CCXL CE, a staggering:
MM gladiators; LXX
lions; XL wild
horses; XXX elephants;
XXX leopards; XX
wild asses; XIX giraffes;
X elks; X
hyenas; X tigers;
I hippopotamus &
I rhinoceros were
killed.
Gladiatorial
battles were banned by a Christian emperor in CDVII
CE
Timetable
of Games
Morning - Animal fights
During Lunch - Executions of criminals
Afternoon = Gladiators & battle reenactments
Getting
There
The
audience entered through LXXX
arches which were numbered I
to LXXVI - there were
IV unnumbered entrances.
Each spectator had a ticket bearing I
of these numbers and entered through the corresponding
arch. It is said the entire audience could enter and be
seated within X minutes.
Only
XXXIII doorways remain
and they are numbered XXIII
to LIV with I
unnumbered entrance.
NB
- It is a myth that Christians were 'thrown to the loins'
here. There is no evidence and the Romans kept impecable
records.
An
earthquake DCCCXLVII
CE destroyed southern side of the building.