There it stood, the colossal structure of the Colosseum. Arches and marble were placed along the walls of the ancient ruin, and tourists of all different races were standing around them, taking pictures at an incredible rate. The brown tinged marble and brick formed an imposing structure that you could spend hours looking at. Set in the ruins of the ancient Roman Forum, the Colosseum boldly screamed in a silent way " Look! I'm just so amazing! Look at me! " we followed the tour guide in.
It was made up of five ruined levels, including a basement of passageways, and was crammed full with tourists, all wandering around the amazing place. Arches were placed around the amphitheater, and people were filling up the levels. Brick made up the structure of the inside, and I could imagine the gladiators thrusting their huge swords all over the place. Wow, it was incredible.
The Colosseum floor used to be covered with wood and sand, and the passageways were for the animals and gladiators. Mechanical lifts were used to raise the fighters to the stadium. Weeds were weaving their way across the ancient walls, cramming the bases of the walls. People all over the place were flashing cameras, eager to take pictures. It was really cool.
The second level of the amphitheatere offered good views of Rome, not to mention the ruins of the Forum, and also of the basement of the Colosseum. People were wandering hurriedly around, awed gazes on their faces. I was eager to move around too. This was an utterly unforgettable experience.
There were three things that took place in the Colosseum during Roman time. Firstly, in the morning, animal hunts would take place. The hunts would have exotic animals from all sorts of places, and a huge variety of animals, such as lions, tigers, panthers, leopards, buffalo, bears, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, rhinoceroses and more would be hunted. Stage sets, such as woods, hills and streams, would be used to give a better effect for the hunt. Hunters were often torn from limb to limb. Ugh.
Secondly, during lunch, were held mass executions of criminals. Criminals of Roman origin would be decapitated. Otherwise, criminals were tied to posts and torn apart by hungry beasts. The beasts were frenzied by fire to attack the criminals. Sometimes, criminals were alive after the attack, but horribly injured and mutilated. How horrible.
Finally, in the afternoons, were held the gladiator fights. Criminals condemned to death, prisoners, free men and even young aristocrats would fight in the arena. The show would begin with a massive procession of lictors, musicians, sign bearers carrying notices explaining the reason of the death sentence for those to be executed, the gladiators in pairs, the venatores and the prisoners condemned to death. Combat could be of two types, the first being a sine missione, where one of the two gladiators ended up dying, or secondly, missio, where a defeated gladiator could ask for his life to be spared. It was cruel, but the bloodthirsty crowd loved it.
The Colosseum was such an ancient, important part of history. I wondered what it would be like to watch a fight. To be yelling in the crowd. Mm, not sure if I could take seeing people or animals getting killed though... Regardless, the Colosseum as a history architecture was truly awesome!
Colosseum has outer and inner walls
Dressing as a Roman...with Russel Crowe the gladiator! : )
Our fantastic tour guide; I love his passion for history!
Inside Colosseum...
The original cross of Colosseum...
The passage way for animals and gladiators
The remaining of the original sitting steps...used to be all covered in marble...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
