Roman Games, Coliseum, and Circus Maximus

1. Roman Games, Coliseum, and Circus Maximus By: Chris Aikins and Connor Holt

2. Coliseum

3. Facts • 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

5. Gladiators and Games

6. Facts • Games consist of Roman chariot racing, gladiator fights , public executions, and “sea battles”( which actually lake naval battles) • Chariot racing has teams and colors (white, green, red, or blue) • Originated as funeral games • Gladiators were mostly unfree individuals • Some Gladiators were volunteers( Even Emperors) • Gladiators were generally regarded as beneath the law and unrespectable citizens • Most gladiators became popular heroes • Some gladiators could be freed and either continue to fight , be a gladiator trainer, or become a bodyguard for the wealthy • There 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 protector, very small shield, and a short curved sword • Secutors have a egg shaped helmet with round eye holes, greave on one leg, arm protector, legionary-style shield and sword • Secutors are often called “chasers” • Retiarius have a arm and shoulder protector, large net, trident, small dagger, no helmet and is very mobile • Bestiarius 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 lowest ranking gladiator type • 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

8. Circus Maximus

9. 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

11. 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. Works Cited

12. The End