So on we go to the Coliseum. Not always the arena we see today. However once made into a gallery to entertain, entertain it did. From blood sports , to a zoo, to mass executions to a flooded arena via Romes revolutionary aqueducts that housed boats full of competing warriors. Again no wooden swords used. Fight and drown trying. Few survivors. The Gladiators entered from the West. Fought on the East side and if successful exited through the East gates to waiting masters or ambulances if spared. Some were due to expense if training. Rulers would save world renowned fighters based on favours and donations promised from their owners. Modern day politics resemblance ! What is visible today is the basement level. Not always so. Many corridors and chambers that housed Gladiators, the condemned, guilty, animals and their soon to be human meals. Clean up in aisle 5 ! The floor was covered in blood and fresh sand constantly refreshed to soak the new supply up. These corridors would be flooded for the water games. The poor sat in the nose bleed sections. The wealthier on marble seats at court side ( few are visible as worn white blocks now ) and the Emporers at Middle East or West depending on home or away choice. The decay or ruin state that is portrayed today is from salvagers that ransacked this glorious stadium for its world renowned materials, statues , marble etc. The Vatican being one salvager itself once Rome collapsed. Parts can be seen today in the Popes domain. Rome was never really destroyed by its captors. It was picked apart for its riches. Still spectacular in its ruination but a barbaric venue if ever. Todays equivelant is called Soldier Field and we all go home !
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 00:12:08 +0000
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