Roman AmphitheatresThe topic that I am reaching is the Amphitheatres in ancient Rome.How was this used by the Romans? An amphitheatre was a structure built throughout the Roman empire where ordinary people could watch such as gladiator games, mock naval battles, wild animal hunts, and public executions.
Usually oval in form, the largest examples could seat tens of thousands of people, and they became a focal point of Roman society and the entertainment business. Amphitheatres are one of the best surviving examples of ancient Roman architecture, and many are still in use today, hosting events ranging from gladiator re-enactments to opera concerts.How was it built?This is how the Colosseum was built.Measuring some 620 by 513 feet (190 by 155 meters), the Colosseum was the largest amphitheatre in ancient Rome. Unlike the other amphitheatres, which has been dug into hillsides to provide support, the Colosseum was the first freestanding structure made of stone and concrete. This distinctive exterior had three stories of an arched entrances-a total of around 80-supported by semi-circular columns. Each story contained columns of a different style. At the bottom, the columns were relatively simple in Doric order, followed by Ionic and topped by the ornate Corinthian.
Just located near the main entrance to the Colosseum was the Arch of Constantine, built in A.D. 315 in honour of Constantine I’s victory over Maxentius at Pons Milvius.Inside the Colosseum had seating for over 50,000 spectators, the seating was arranged by there social ranking some were up higher underneath shade to protect them from the sun when the rest were in the sun and put into a tight space.
Why was this an important part of the Roman culture?The amphitheatres are important to the Roman culture because of the enjoyment it gave to Roman people. The amphitheatres were used for so many things here are some examples what they were used for.In the morning beast would fight beasts. Exotic animals from all across the world were brought to Rome. Elephants, lions, tigers, zebras, crocodiles, giraffes and monkeys were brought into the arena to fight humans and beast alike creatures.In the afternoon criminals that were sentenced to death had to paint the walls of the arena with their own blood.
They had fight trained gladiators to there death. The criminal was not given any weapons or armour only the gladiators had that this was, put in place so the criminal’s death was guaranteed and no innocent blood was spilled in the amphitheatres.In the evening the real big show that everyone goes see begins. A criminal gladiator who was quickly sent to the afterlife two or up to 20 gladiators would deliver a more spectacular show. Even though the gladiators were seen as fighting machines, they had very good armour and weapons that were very expensive.
If the death of a gladiator was unwanted the public knew. Gladiators became Roman superstars everyone in the city knew who you were, it’s like today if you were a big hockey player everyone would know who you are.How is this used in our society today?Today, the Colosseum is an archaeological site and also a place for great touristic interest.How did this help the Roman Society to succeedBeing a gladiator was for men, that wanted fame and money, a good career choice. By having the Roman society with them helped them so this is one of the reasons it helped the Roman society succeed. Some of the fighters were forced to join, and many were just volunteering. The gladiators were recognised by the Roman society in a different way.
When Gladiatorial combat was outlawed in 399 A.D, it destroyed the Roman economy. So many industries had depended on the money form the Gladiatorial games would bring and the removal of the Gladiator fights the importance of the Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre) helped with the downfall of the Roman society. The Colosseum was a social and economic centre of Ancient Rome.
