The Colosseum

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In this section, Steven and Dr. Bernie Frischer discuss the Colosseum in Ancient Rome, its significance, and its architectural features.

The Brutality and Grandeur of the Colosseum

• Dr. Bernie Frischer mentions that the image of the Colosseum in ruins blurs the brutality of this place of death and instead makes people think about the decline of Roman civilization.

• He explains that the grandeur associated with Ancient Rome is often based on nostalgia and sentimentality rather than historical reality.

• Dr. Bernie Frischer shares that while many people consider the Colosseum as a symbol of grandeur, he personally finds it to be a horrific place.

The Origins and Purpose of the Colosseum

• Steven mentions that the Colosseum was built by a later Roman emperor as a gift back to the city.

• Dr. Bernie Frischer explains that after Nero's unpopularity and suicide, Vespasian, the first Flavian emperor, wanted to give back prime land in Rome to its people.

• As a way to achieve this, Vespasian created public monuments where popular spectacles could be enjoyed by Romans.

• The Romans originally called it the Flavian Amphitheater, but it started being referred to as the Colosseum during medieval times due to a colossal statue located next to it.

Architectural Features of the Colosseum

• The building consists of three stories with different architectural orders: Corinthian at the top two stories, Ionic in the second story, and an Italic variation of Doric known as Tuscan order in the lower story.

• Dr. Bernie Frischer explains that the Colosseum represents a summing up of Greek architectural history by incorporating different styles on top of each other.

• The Colosseum's lower three stories are made up of arches, which is a significant innovation in Roman architecture.

• There were 80 numbered arches on the entry level, with the four axial entrances being the main ones without numbers. These entrances had a dedicatory inscription by Vespasian.

• The treasure from the captured temple of the Jews at Jerusalem likely funded the construction of the Colosseum.

Seating and Spectacles

• Different sections of seating were designated for various categories of people, with emperors, magistrates, and priests having the lowest seats.

• The seating arrangement progressed from senators to wealthy businessmen to plebeians and finally foreigners, slaves, and women who sat on temporary wooden seats.

• Marble seats were inscribed with names corresponding to specific categories allowed to sit there.

• Dr. Bernie Frischer mentions that spectators would enter through numbered gateways based on their tickets, leading them through dark corridors towards their seats.

Activities in the Colosseum

• On a typical day when open for business, three main activities took place in the Colosseum. However, further details about these activities are not provided in this section.

Timestamps have been associated with relevant bullet points as per instructions.

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The Coliseum in Ancient Rome was a site of gruesome executions and spectacles that took place at midday, even as Romans enjoyed their lunch. These events were later seen as expressions of the pagan past by the church and Christian pilgrims. The Coliseum became a pilgrimage site despite its association with death and slaughter.

Executions at Midday

• The Coliseum witnessed the execution of prisoners in shocking and imaginative ways.

• These executions took place at midday, during the lunch hour, while Romans enjoyed their meals.

• Gruesome spectacles included burning people at the stake or tying them to stakes and mauling them to death by animals.

Pagan Past and Christian Martyrdom

• The church and Christian pilgrims viewed these earlier events as gruesome expressions of the pagan past.

• While few Christians were murdered in the Coliseum, it became sanctified over time and an important pilgrimage site.

Abattoir of Death

• The Coliseum was a place of death and slaughter for both animals and condemned individuals.

• Gladiators who lost often ended up being killed as well.

• The collision between death and theatricality makes it uncomfortable for us in the 21st century to comprehend.

Theatricality of the Coliseum

• The Colosseum was like a stage, with its name "amphitheater" meaning double theater.

• The arena floor was made up of wood planks punctuated with trap doors used for elevators operated manually by slaves.

• Spectacles included animal hunts, gladiatorial combats, famous battles reenactments, coronations, sacrifices of thousands of animals, and hundreds of gladiators.

Comforts and Precautions

• Wealthy Romans sat close to the action but were protected by netting from angry gladiators.

• Animals were kept away from spectators by a ditch and stakes to prevent them from jumping into the seats.

• The emperor had a tunnel connecting his box in the Coliseum to the Caelian Hill for safety.

Archeological Knowledge vs. Romantic Notions

• Our archeological knowledge sometimes contradicts romantic notions of the Coliseum portrayed in 19th-century paintings and religious traditions.

• The Coliseum has captured our imagination as a building with a rich history.

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The Colosseum was equipped with a great awning called velarium, supported by ropes and long planks. The emperor's seat at the lowest level posed potential danger, but precautions such as netting protected spectators. Animals were kept away by a ditch and stakes. Understanding the historical context helps dispel romanticized notions of the Coliseum.

Velarium and Spectator Comfort

• A detachment of marines manned the ropes of the velarium, which covered the top of the Colosseum.

• Long planks supported these ropes at the top level, looping around bollards at ground level.

• Wealthy and powerful Romans sat close to the action but were protected from sun or rain by the velarium.

Emperor's Safety Measures

• The emperor had a tunnel connecting his box in the Coliseum to ensure his safety.

• Sitting at the lowest level made him vulnerable to angry gladiators, but netting protected spectators in those seats.

Animal Containment

• Animals were kept away from spectators by a ditch surrounding the arena.

• Stakes prevented animals from crossing over and jumping into spectator seats.

Historical Context vs. Romanticized Notions

• Our archeological knowledge challenges romanticized ideas about ancient structures like the Coliseum depicted in art or influenced by religious traditions.

• Understanding historical facts helps us appreciate this iconic building in its true context.