Colosseum - Roman Death Trap FULL SPECIAL (2015) | American Experience | PBS America

PBS America2 minutes read

The Colosseum in ancient Rome hosted brutal spectacles like gladiator battles and animal fights, showcasing the Empire's love for deadly entertainment. Researchers and architects are exploring the Colosseum's underground tunnels to reconstruct ancient lift systems and understand the harsh realities of Roman entertainment practices.

Insights

  • The Colosseum was a symbol of the Roman Empire's focus on violent entertainment, hosting deadly spectacles like gladiator battles, animal attacks, and sea battles with high casualty rates.
  • Emperor Vespasian funded the Colosseum's construction to emphasize military power and public entertainment, contrasting with Nero's extravagance, showcasing Roman superiority over Greek culture through its decorations and architecture.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What types of events were held at the Colosseum?

    Various shows like gladiator battles and animal displays.

  • Who funded the construction of the Colosseum?

    Emperor Vespasian using spoils from sacking Jerusalem.

  • What was the purpose of the oval shape of the Colosseum?

    To prevent action from getting stuck in corners.

  • How were gladiators treated in terms of healthcare?

    Received advanced medical care and supplements for injuries.

  • What were some of the challenges faced in reconstructing the ancient lift system in the Colosseum?

    Crane being overweight and concerns about stability.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Colosseum: Roman Empire's Deadly Entertainment Spectacles

  • The Colosseum is a symbol of the Roman Empire, showcasing their investment in deadly spectacles for entertainment.
  • The Colosseum hosted various shows like wild beast displays in the morning, crucifixions at lunch, and men fighting to the death in the afternoon.
  • Ancient Roman accounts detail the Colosseum's gruesome spectacles, including gladiator battles, animal attacks, and sea battles with numerous casualties.
  • Researchers explore the Colosseum's underground tunnels to understand how it was flooded for naval battles and examine gladiators' remains.
  • An architect uncovers an ancient special effects system in the Colosseum's basement, aiming to reconstruct it and release an animal after 1,500 years.
  • The Colosseum, a colossal structure, was adorned with bronze shields and statues, standing as a significant Roman landmark.
  • The Colosseum witnessed over a million human deaths and the extinction of species due to its elaborate spectacles.
  • The building of the Colosseum was funded by Emperor Vespasian using the spoils from sacking the Temple in Jerusalem.
  • Vespasian constructed the Colosseum to contrast with Nero's extravagant rule, emphasizing military power and public entertainment.
  • Engineers and architects collaborate to reconstruct an ancient lift system in the Colosseum, aiming to release animals into the arena, shedding light on Roman entertainment practices.

19:07

Roman Colosseum: Oval Design and Construction Challenges

  • The oval shape of Roman amphitheaters, like the Colosseum, was designed to prevent action from getting stuck in corners during gladiator combat.
  • Gladiators stuck in corners faced quick death, making the oval shape crucial for prolonging action and entertainment value.
  • The amphitheater's unique shape symbolized Roman power and pride, connecting gladiatorial performances with military conquest and empire.
  • Tools used by ancient Romans for construction, like axes and saws, were depicted on the Trajan Column and used to fell trees for building.
  • The Colosseum's decorations included bronze statues, discs, and columns representing Roman superiority over Greek art and culture.
  • The Colosseum's drainage system, with 40 input channels and four drains, could have been used to stage mock sea battles by flooding the arena.
  • A 200-foot crane was used to lift a 440-pound trap door, a 2,000-pound frame, a 1,000-pound cage, and a 500-pound capstan into the Colosseum.
  • The team faced challenges with the crane being overweight, risking toppling over, but managed to successfully raise the lift into place.
  • The lift was guided into the Colosseum's hypogeum with precision, despite concerns about the crane's stability and weight distribution.
  • The team celebrated the successful placement of the lift but still needed to assemble the parts into a functional machine for the Colosseum.

38:24

Ancient gladiators: injuries, healthcare, and recreation.

  • 66 young males aged 20-30 were buried, with unusual injuries hinting at gladiator combat.
  • Gladiators used unique weapons like tridents, with one famous pairing being a Secutor and a Retiarius.
  • Evidence of healing injuries on gladiator bones suggests good healthcare.
  • A potion made from ash was possibly used as treatment for gladiators.
  • Gladiators likely received calcium supplements to strengthen bones.
  • Gladiators were a valuable investment, leading to advanced medical care for them.
  • A team recreates an ancient Roman lift machine using pulleys to lift a cage with a wolf inside the Colosseum.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.