The ancient Romans built huge arenas called amphitheaters to stage their entertainments. The Colosseum in Rome was one of the grandest, commissioned by the Emperor Vespasian. The first ceremonies lasted for 100 days and included a mock sea battle. Romans enjoyed watching bloodthirsty games at the Colosseum for over 400 years.
Gladiators
The first gladiator games were held in 264 BCE. Most gladiators were prisoners, slaves or criminals who were trained to fight. If a gladiator was wounded, the crowd decided his fate by giving the thumbs up (to live) or the thumbs down (to die).
Types of gladiator
There were several different kinds of gladiator. The senior was heavily armed. The murmillo wore a helmet decorated with a fish. The retiarius tried to catch his opponent with a net and a three-pronged spear.
Commodus
Emperor Commodus reigned 180-192 CE. During his regin, he dressed as a gladiator and fought at the Colosseum 735 times. He never lost. This behavior shocked many Romans, who thought that gladiators were the lowest members of society. Eventually, Commodus was murdered.
The Colosseum
It took about ten years to build the Colosseum, which got its name from the nearby colossus (statue) of Nero. It had 80 entrances and was divided into the podium, arena and cavea (seating area) for 50,000 people. Underground chambers held gladiators and animals.
Spartacus
Spartacus, a Thracian soldier, was sold into slavery and became a gladiator in Capua. In 73 BCE, Spartacus led a revolt of slaves, but he was eventually defeated and killed.
Exotic animals
Venationes (staged hunts) were held in the morning. Exotic animals, such as elephants and tigers, were imported from overseas. During the first shows at the Colosseum, 5,000 animals were killed.
Freedom
If a gladiator fought well, he could be set free. His master gave him a bone tablet, inscribed with his name, and a gift of coins.
GK Questions about Colosseum
- What famous gladiator led a revolt of slaves?
Answer: Spartacus
- There were elephants in the Colosseum. True or false?
Answer: True
- What signal did the crowd give for a gladiator to die ?
Answer: Thumbs down
- CUT ROSE can be rearranged to give the name of what type of gladiator?
Answer: Secutor
- In what part of the Colosseum were the gladiators and animals kept?
Answer: In underground chambers
- Which emperor often fought at the Colosseum?
Answer: Commodus
- What was a bestiarius?
Answer: A man trained to fight animals
- What did a retiarius use to catch his opponent?
Answer: A net and a three-pronged spear
- Who was thrown to the animals?
Answer: Christians, criminals and slaves
- What kind of gladiator wore a helmet decorated with a fish?
Answer: A murmillo
- How many years did it take to build the Colosseum: ten, 20 or 30?
Answer: ten
- The venationes were Roman soldiers. True or false?
Answer: False
- What did a freed gladiator receive?
Answer: A bone tablet, inscribed with his name, and a gift of coins
- How many people could attend games at the Colosseum?
Answer: 50,000 people
- When were the first gladiator games held?
Answer: In 264BCE
- How did the Colosseum get its name?
Answer: From the nearby colossus (statue) of Nero
- How many times did Commodus fight at the Colosse
Answer: 735 times
- How many animals were killed in the first celebrations at the Colosseum?
Answer: 5,000
- When was the colosseum built?
Answer: 70 AD
- Where is the colosseum ?
Answer: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
- Who built the colosseum?
Answer: Emperor Vespasian
22. What was the colosseum used for?
Answer: Bloodthirsty games
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