The Roman Coliseum
A power point presentation made
by Joey NiEdErLaNdEr
The Flavian Amphitheatre
• In the Center of Rome, Italy.
• Largest built in the Roman Empire
• emperor Vespasian started the
construction between 70 and 72 AD , and
ended under the power of Titus\
• Domitian made modifications when he
was in power.
• In Use for over 500 years
Seating 50,000 Spectators
Why a Coliseum?
1. Gladitorial Fights-
2. Public shows and other
3. forms of entertainment-
Public Displays
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Mock sea fights
Animal hunts
Executions
Reenactments
Dramas based on Classical Mythology.
Many other important uses…
…one of the most important
things however, are the gladiatorial
fights
Wooden floors covered chambers below
where the gladiators and animals were
kept waiting to perform. Debate is still
arise over if naval mock battle waters were
kept below also. Remember in Mrs.
Flanagan’s class?
Life of a Gladiator
• Fought for entertainment• Most likely that the origin of the gladitorial fights was
from the Estruscan custom of ritual human sacrifices to
honor the dead. The first gladiatorial fight took place in
264 BC as part of one of these rituals called a munus.
Marcus and Decimus Junius Brutus created a
gladiatorial combat in honor of thier deceased father with
three pairs of slaves as gladiators. The concept of the
munus was that it kept alive the memory of an important
individual after death. They were held some time after
the funeral and were often repeated at annual or fiveyear intervals. Gladiatorial games, or munera were not a
regular part of public games until the end of the first
century.
Festus
• Festus suggested that gladitorial contests
be used in place of the original sacrifice of
prisoners.( Which they did on the tombs of
great warriors).
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People who wanted political favor often
would be there to host the shows.
Who were Gladiators?
Gladiators were usually slaves and
criminals and war prisoners. Who had the
body strength and apparence of a fighter.
Half of the fighters were volunteers, who
oathed themselves to their new owners.
Why volunteer?
• Free Borns volunteered because they
could be known all around rome, and even
have a better fortune then the life back at
home if fought well, and they will be known
for their courage. The volunteer is now
capable of having as much honor as a
Roman soldier would.
Where are they trained?
• The Gladiator was trained at special
schools called Ludi, the largest school was
located and connected to the coliseum
underground. They used wooden
dummies for practice.
Remember Spartacus?
• In the school/imprisonment
of Capua, Spartacus led a
slave revolt in 73 B.C.
Forever?
• Most Gladiators fought about 2 or 3 times
a year. With enough fame and fortune they
should be able to purchase their freedom.,
However, criminals, were either expected
to die within a year, or earn their freedom
after three years…if they survived.
Types of GladiatorsThere are 17 types of Gladiators
The four most common are the Thracians,
Mirmillones, Retiarii, and Secutores.
Thracians
• Armed with a scimitar
• Carried a small square
shape, circle shape shield.
He also wore greaves.
Mirrmilows
• From the Greek for Fish.
• High crest on top of helmet
resembling a fish.
- A larger sqaurish shield,
and a small sword.
Retiarri
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Also known as the net man
Fought with a trident and a net
No helmet
Covering around his left
shoulder
• Entangle his challenger,
• then closing in with his trident.
Secutores
• Usually opponent of the
retiarius
• Helmet had small eye-holes
with a low crest.
• Armed with a sword and a
large curved shield.
• Protective covering on his
right arm.
• Wore greaves on his legs.
Calls in the Coliseum
“Verbera!”-Strike
“Habet, hoc habet!”- he’s down! Or He’s had
it!
“Mitte!” – Spare him
“Iugula!”- Cut his throat
“Ure!”- Burn him
After
• After a while the “Games”, were banned
by constantine, and was then used for
shrines and other things. Throughout the
years of stone robbers and earthquakes,
and one fire, the Coliseum has had many
damages, but is still standing strong.