THE COLOSSEUM (look up to find video)

• the Colosseum was completed in 80AD by Emperor Titus
• It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture
• Capable of seating 50,000 spectators
• The Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical Mythology.

the structure.
the stands.

Unlike the previous theatres in the Roman World, the Colosseum is completely free standing. It is 189 metres long, 159 metres wide and a height of 48 metres. There are tiers that are designed for specific hierarchy. These are shown in the picture below:


A cross section of the stands in the Colosseum

underground.

• The Colosseum floor area is 83 metres by 48 metres and is a wooden floor with sand laid over the top. 
• This floor, covering an elaborate underground structure is called the hypogeum. Little now remains of the original arena floor, but the hypogeum is still clearly visible. 

It consisted of a two-level subterranean network of tunnels and cages beneath the arena where gladiators and animals were held before contests began. 

Eighty vertical shafts provided instant access to the arena for caged animals and scenery pieces concealed underneath; larger hinged platforms, called hegmata, provided access for elephants and the like. It was restructured on numerous occasions; at least twelve different phases of construction can be seen.




forms of entertainment.

Gladiator fights were the main attractions for the Colosseum. The shows, called munera, were always given by private individuals rather than the state. They had a strong religious element but were also demonstrations of power and family prestige, and were immensely popular with the population. Another popular type of show was the animal hunt called venatio. This required a great variety of wild beasts, mainly imported from Africa and the Middle East, and included creatures such as tigers, rhinos, elephants and many more wild and ferocious beasts. Battles and hunts were often staged amid elaborate sets with movable trees and buildings. Such events were occasionally on a huge scale; Trajan is said to have celebrated his victories in Dacia in 107 with contests involving 11,000 animals and 10,000 gladiators over the course of 123 days.

types of gladiators.
There are many different types of gladiator:

• Bestiarii: (beast fighters) originally armed with a spear or knife, these gladiators were condemned to fight beasts with a high probability of death. In later times, the Bestiarii were highly trained, specializing in various types of exotic, imported beasts.
• Murmillones: Wore a helmet with a stylized fish on the crest (the mormylos or sea fish), as well as an arm guard (manica). They carried a gladius and an oblong shield in the Gallic style.
• Retiarii: Carried a trident, a dagger, and a net, a larger manica extending to the shoulder and left side of the chest. They commonly fought secutores or mirmillones. Occasionally a metal shoulder shield, or galerus, was added to protect the neck and lower face.
• Thraces: The Thracian was equipped with a broad-rimmed helmet that enclosed the entire head, a small round or square-shaped shield, and two thigh-length greaves. His weapon was the Thracian curved sword, or the sica.

SOURCES: wikipedia/unrv history.