Download or read book The Circus Maximus and the Colosseum written by Charles River Charles River Editors and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2018-02-05 with total page 98 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: *Includes pictures *Includes ancient accounts *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading The ambitious and fearless emperors that built the legendary Roman Empire from scratch, the broad-shouldered and bronzed gladiators with their iconic plume helmets and glinting swords, and elaborate parties attended by toga-wearing Romans fueled by alcohol, violence, orgies, and other godless acts all paint a picture of Roman life. At the Circus Maximus, the guttural cheers of the spectators reverberated across the enormous open space, but their cries could hardly be heard over the rumble of the ground. On the ellipse-shaped track, 5 charioteers would skew their bodies and steer their magnificent vehicles around the curves. Gusts of sand and dirt flew up from the whizzing wheels and encircled the pounding hooves of the stunning stallions. Distracted personnel and guards dragging their feet were considered fair game. As one chariot careened to the side, preparing to collide with another chariot, a row of guards might have to try to duck out of the way in the nick of time. Some would be trampled by hooves. Chariot races were dangerous for participants too. A charioteer could become disoriented and fail to position himself as his horses moved instinctively, sending his body catapulting forward out of the chariot. Needless to say, chariot racing in Rome was a nail-biting spectacle. When the Colosseum was built in the late 1st century A.D., the Romans, a people known for their architectural acumen, managed to amaze themselves. Martial, a Roman poet writing during the inauguration of the Colosseum, clearly believed the Colosseum was so grand a monument that it was even greater than the other Wonders of the Ancient World, which had been written about and visited endlessly by the Romans and Greeks in antiquity. Indeed, although the Wonders were wondrous to behold, the Colosseum was a spectacular achievement in architecture, something new and innovative, and therefore an amazing "Wonder" in its own way. The Colosseum was designed to be both a symbol and show of strength by the famous Flavian emperors, most notably Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian. Vespasian had started the construction of the Colosseum shortly after becoming emperor in 69 A.D., but he died before he could present any spectacles in his giant amphitheatre. That honor went to his son Titus, who celebrated the inaugural opening in 80 A.D. with 100 days of games, despite the fact that the Colosseum was not completely finished. When his brother Domitian came to power in 81 A.D., he finished the amphitheatre, but not without making some changes to the overall design. By the time it was truly finished, the Colosseum stood about 150 feet tall, with the oval in the center stretching nearly two football fields long and over 500 feet across. The Colosseum is a large stadium even by today's standards, and its great size conveys the power of the empire as it dominates the landscape and towers over nearby buildings. Nearly 2,000 years later, the Colosseum still amazes millions of people who come to visit it, and when asked to visualize a monument that represents the Roman Empire, many conjure up an image of the large amphitheater. As Keith Hopkins and Mary Beard put it, the Colosseum is "the most famous, and instantly recognizable, monument to have survived from the classical world." At the same time, the Colosseum also represents the Roman games and spectacles, particularly the gladiatorial combats that so many people today find both abhorrent yet fascinating. Given its massive size and the architectural ingenuity involved, the Colosseum played host to all sorts of games, including massive hunts of exotic animals and even sea battles.
Download or read book Gladiators and Caesars written by Eckart Köhne and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2000-01-01 with total page 170 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Describes the events and games held in the amphitheaters, cicuses, and theaters in ancient Rome.
Download or read book Roman Circuses written by John H. Humphrey and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 1986-01-01 with total page 722 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Colosseum written by Keith Hopkins and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2012-06-01 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Byron and Hitler were equally entranced by Rome’s most famous monument, the Colosseum. Mid-Victorians admired the hundreds of varieties of flowers in its crannies and occasionally shuddered at its reputation for contagion, danger, and sexual temptation. Today it is the highlight of a tour of Italy for more than three million visitors a year, a concert arena for the likes of Paul McCartney, and a national symbol of opposition to the death penalty. Its ancient history is chock full of romantic but erroneous myths. There is no evidence that any gladiator ever said “Hail Caesar, those about to die...” and we know of not one single Christian martyr who met his finish here. Yet the reality is much stranger than the legend as the authors, two prominent classical historians, explain in this absorbing account. We learn the details of how the arena was built and at what cost; we are introduced to the emperors who sometimes fought in gladiatorial games staged at the Colosseum; and we take measure of the audience who reveled in, or opposed, these games. The authors also trace the strange afterlife of the monument—as fortress, shrine of martyrs, church, and glue factory. Why are we so fascinated with this arena of death?
Download or read book The Circus Maximus written by Charles River Charles River Editors and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2017-08-06 with total page 88 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: *Includes pictures *Includes ancient accounts of the Circus Maximus *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading "Rome was a poem pressed into service as a city." In that short line, Anatole Broyard, a 20th century American writer, compactly captures the timeless and enchanting beauty that resides within the Eternal City of Rome. This tourist destination is often one of the highest ranked on bucket lists, for how could one not want to experience its marvelous ruins, mirror-like rivers, and spectacular stretches of aqueducts firsthand? As one sips on fine Italian wine on a terrace overlooking the grand remnants of the Colosseum, one can practically hear the roars of the battling gladiators and the raucous applause of the spectators. And as one strolls through the coarse, yet quaint cobblestone streets, one can almost hear the galloping horses and screeching wheels of chariots in the distance, and even feel the brush of the breeze as they charge past. It is difficult not to fall in love with a city so effortlessly nostalgic it verges on utopian. The ambitious and fearless emperors that built the legendary Roman Empire from scratch, the broad-shouldered and bronzed gladiators with their iconic plume helmets and glinting swords, and elaborate parties attended by toga-wearing Romans fueled by alcohol, violence, orgies, and other godless acts all paint a picture of Roman life. Indeed, many people are well-versed with these unique scenes of Roman history, and Ben-Hur helped popularize people's views of what went on at Rome's largest stadium. While the characters of Judah Ben-Hur and Messala were fictitious figures drawn from the imagination of novelist Lew Wallace, the setting of the rivals' classic confrontation, the fabled Circus Maximus, is very much real. At the Circus Maximus, the guttural cheers of the spectators reverberated across the enormous open space, but their cries could hardly be heard over the rumble of the ground. On the ellipse-shaped track, 5 charioteers would skew their bodies and steer their magnificent vehicles around the curves. Gusts of sand and dirt flew up from the whizzing wheels and encircled the pounding hooves of the stunning stallions. Distracted personnel and guards dragging their feet were considered fair game. As one chariot careened to the side, preparing to collide with another chariot, a row of guards might have to try to duck out of the way in the nick of time. Some would be trampled by hooves. Chariot races were dangerous for participants too. A charioteer could become disoriented and fail to position himself as his horses moved instinctively, sending his body catapulting forward out of the chariot. Needless to say, chariot racing in Rome was a nail-biting spectacle. The Circus Maximus: The History and Legacy of the Largest Stadium in Ancient Rome explores the development, as well as the origins and legends surrounding the stadium. It also dissects the historic sport and the Circus stars, as well as the most momentous events ever to have transpired in this fantastic place. Along with pictures depicting important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Circus Maximus like never before.
Download or read book The Colosseum written by Lesley A. DuTemple and published by Twenty-First Century Books. This book was released on 2003-01-01 with total page 46 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Describes the history of the construction, in Rome, Italy, of the Colosseum, considered by many to be the most famous building in the world.
Download or read book Arena written by John Pearson and published by New York : McGraw-Hill. This book was released on 1973 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The Colosseum or Coliseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium; Italian: Anfiteatro Flavio or Colosseo) is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and stone, it was the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire, and is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. It is the largest amphitheatre in the world."--Wikipedia.
Download or read book The Roman Amphitheatre written by Katherine E. Welch and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2007-09-10 with total page 416 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the first book to analyze the evolution of the Roman amphitheatre as an architectural form. Katherine Welch addresses the critical period in the history of this building type: its origins and dissemination under the Republic, from the third to first centuries BC; its monumentalization as an architectural form under Augustus; and its canonization as a building type with the Colosseum (AD 80). The study then shifts focus to the reception of the amphitheatre in the Greek East, a part of the Empire deeply fractured about the new realities of Roman rule.
Download or read book The Roman Colosseum written by Fiona Macdonald and published by Brighter Child. This book was released on 1996 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An illustrated survey of the construction and history of the Colosseum, the enormous oval amphitheater that has stood in Rome for 1,900 years.
Download or read book The Roman Gladiators and the Colosseum written by Charles River Editors and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2013-11 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: *Includes pictures. *Includes ancient accounts of gladiatorial games and other spectacles. *Explains how the Colosseum was designed and built, as well as how seating was arranged. *Describes the different classes of Roman gladiators and the armor and weaponry they used. *Includes footnotes and a bibliography for further reading. “He vows to endure to be burned, to be bound, to be beaten, and to be killed by the sword." - The gladiator's oath, according to Petronius in the Satyricon. When the Colosseum was built in the late 1st century A.D., the Romans, a people known for their architectural acumen, managed to amaze themselves. Martial, a Roman poet writing during the inauguration of the Colosseum, clearly believed the Colosseum was so grand a monument that it was even greater than the other Wonders of the Ancient World, which had been written about and visited endlessly by the Romans and Greeks in antiquity. Indeed, although the Wonders were wondrous to behold, the Colosseum was a spectacular achievement in architecture, something new and innovative, and therefore an amazing “Wonder” in its own way. The Colosseum was designed to be both a symbol and show of strength by the famous Flavian emperors, most notably Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian. Vespasian had started the construction of the Colosseum shortly after becoming emperor in 69 A.D., but he died before he could present any spectacles in his giant amphitheatre. That honor went to his son Titus, who celebrated the inaugural opening in 80 A.D. with 100 days of games, despite the fact that the Colosseum was not completely finished. When his brother Domitian came to power in 81 A.D., he finished the amphitheatre, but not without making some changes to the overall design. By the time it was truly finished, the Colosseum stood about 150 feet tall, with the oval in the center stretching nearly two football fields long and over 500 feet across. The Colosseum is a large stadium even by today's standards, and its great size conveys the power of the empire as it dominates the landscape and towers over nearby buildings. Of course, the main events in the Colosseum were gladiator fights. Gladiators are somewhat synonymous with ancient Rome, and even thousands of years after they performed on the sands, when people are asked about Roman culture, many think about and refer to the bloody spectacles of men fighting to the death in the arena. Gladiatorial combat is often regarded as barbaric, and most find it very difficult to comprehend how people could have enjoyed watching something so violent, but nevertheless, the spectacle still intrigues and fascinates people today, whether in movies like Gladiator or television shows about Spartacus. Each match usually pitted one type of gladiator against a different type of gladiator, with each having their own kind of armor, weaponry and fighting style. For example, the retiarius was a gladiator that used a net, dagger and trident as his offensive weapons, while only wearing a protective guard over his left arm for protection. The retiarius would typically fight against the secutor, a gladiator armed with a sword, large shield, helmet and protective covering on his right arm and left leg. Therefore, a retiarius sacrificed armor for quickness in battle, while the secutor did the opposite. Although people often think of gladiators fighting to the death, the outcome of gladiatorial combats was not always fatal for one of the participants. If a gladiator fought well, the sponsor of the show could spare him, particularly if the crowd desired it. The fact that the outcome of matches was never the same and the crowd could help determine the result of the match certainly added to the Roman public's pleasure, making it a lot less surprising that such an abhorrent spectacle still fascinated the modern world.
Download or read book Microbites Gladiators written by DK and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2020-10-13 with total page 96 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This nonfiction chapter book about gladiators is chock-full of bite-size facts, black-and-white photographs, and CGI illustrations to dazzle and engage even the most reluctant reader. The exhilarating world of gladiators might seem intimidating, but Microbites: Gladiators brings kids face to face with these famous fighters in a manageable way, sharing chunks of information on need-to-know topics like different battle styles, Roman referees, gods and temples, and other aspects of life inside the Colosseum. Illustrations and photographs accent nearly every page, while highlighted text calls out important takeaways about each chapter topic, revealing new details about this pulse-racing piece of Ancient Roman history. For further learning, kids can turn to the book's eight-page reference section, where they'll find a gladiator glossary, a historical timeline, and a list of the most notable Roman emperors. Whether they're new to Ancient Rome or seasoned pros, readers will find plenty of fascinating facts to chew on in Microbites: Gladiators. DK's Microbites series takes daunting nonfiction topics and transforms them into easy-to-digest, mini-guides on kids' favorite subjects from history, science, and the natural world. Packed with eye-catching illustrations, detailed photographs, and the latest scientific research on everything from dinosaurs to mummies, the Microbites series encourages a healthy reading appetite in kids ages 8 through 12, and will leave them hungry to learn more.
Download or read book Gladiators written by Roger Dunkle and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-09-13 with total page 403 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The games comprised gladiatorial fights, staged animal hunts (venationes) and the executions of convicted criminals and prisoners of war. Besides entertaining the crowd, the games delivered a powerful message of Roman power: as a reminder of the wars in which Rome had acquired its empire, the distant regions of its far-flung empire (from where they had obtained wild beasts for the venatio), and the inevitability of Roman justice for criminals and those foreigners who had dared to challenge the empire's authority. Though we might see these games as bloodthirsty, cruel and reprehensible condemning any alien culture out of hand for a sport that offends our sensibilities smacks of cultural chauvinism. Instead one should judge an ancient sport by the standards of its contemporary cultural context. This book offers a fascinating, and fair historical appraisal of gladiatorial combat, which will bring the games alive to the reader and help them see them through the eyes of the ancient Romans. It will answer questions about gladiatorial combat such as: What were its origins? Why did it disappear? Who were gladiators? How did they become gladiators? What was there training like? How did the Romans view gladiators? How were gladiator shows produced and advertised? What were the different styles of gladiatorial fighting? Did gladiator matches have referees? Did every match end in the death of at least one gladiator? Were gladiator games mere entertainment or did they play a larger role in Roman society? What was their political significance?
Download or read book The Roman Games written by Alison Futrell and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2009-02-09 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This sourcebook presents a wealth of material relating to everyaspect of Roman spectacles, especially gladiatorial combat andchariot racing. Draws on the words of eye-witnesses and participants, as wellas depictions of the games in mosaics and other works of art. Offers snapshots of “a day at the games” and“the life of a gladiator”. Includes numerous illustrations. Covers chariot-races, water pageants, naval battles and wildanimal fights, as well as gladiatorial combat. Combines political, social, religious and archaeologicalperspectives. Facilitates an in-depth understanding of this important featureof ancient life.
Download or read book The Colosseum written by Peter Quennell and published by . This book was released on 1978 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Daily Life in Ancient Rome written by Jennifer Laura King and published by Bookademy. This book was released on with total page 102 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Step into the captivating world of ancient Rome with "Daily Life in Ancient Rome - From the Colosseum to the Forum”. This comprehensive exploration delves into the intricacies of Roman society, covering everything from the grandeur of architectural marvels like the Colosseum to the bustling markets of the Forum. Discover the social structure, religious beliefs, and daily routines of Roman citizens, and unravel the mysteries of their legal system and governance. From military conquests to cultural achievements, this book paints a vivid picture of life in one of history's most influential civilizations. Engaging and informative, it offers a fascinating journey through the streets, buildings, and minds of ancient Rome.
Download or read book Ancient Rome written by Peter Connolly and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2001 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is one of two new titles from the acclaimed master of recreating the ancient world. Peter Connolly's superb illustrations bring to life the world of ancient Rome, giving children aged 8+ a real sense of what it was like to live there. We visit the baths and the laundry, watch chariotraces at the Circus Maximus and gladiator fights at the Colosseum, and discover a wealth of fascinating details of everyday life. Perfect to support homework. Peter Connolly is a best-selling author and illustrator of the ancient world. His previous books with Oxford include Pompeii, The Roman Fort, The Legionary, The Cavalryman, The Ancient Greece of Odysseus, The Holy Land and The Ancient City. These have sold over 250,000 copies in English, and havebeen translated into many other languages. Peter Connolly is an Honorary Research Fellow of the Institute of Archaeology, London.
Download or read book THE COLOSSEUM written by Narayan Changder and published by CHANGDER OUTLINE. This book was released on 2024-02-03 with total page 23 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Step into the heart of ancient Rome with 'The Colosseum,' an immersive MCQ book that unveils the history, architecture, and grandeur of this iconic amphitheater. Navigate through a collection of thought-provoking multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that delve into the gladiatorial contests, cultural events, and enduring legacy of the Colosseum. Tailored for history enthusiasts, students, and those captivated by the wonders of antiquity, this MCQ guide offers a comprehensive exploration of the Colosseum's role in shaping Roman entertainment and its impact on architectural history. Download your copy now to embark on a journey through the majestic arena and uncover the stories etched in the stones of 'The Colosseum.'"
