Amphitreatrum Flavium: Power, Purpose and Legacy
The Colosseum – or Amphitreatrum Flavium as it was called in Latin – has attracted millions of people over its history to witness one of the worlds most celebrated ‘arenas of death.’ Our fascination with the gruesome events held at the Colosseum – gladiatorial events and animal combat games to name a few - often encourages us to view this grand amphitheater as being the sole site where barbaric entertainment practices were encouraged and exhibited. But did the Colosseum only serve as a way for the ruling Emperor to entertain and preoccupy his people? The answer to this question lies in the answers of others: Why was the Colosseum built in the first place? Why is it so significant today? In
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As the last in line of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, Nero succeeded his grand-uncle Claudius as the Roman Emperor in 54 AD at the young age of 17. Being so young and naïve about how to rule effectively, he often prioritized amusement over leadership. He had very little concern for the needs of his people; an example of his indifference towards his nation occurred later in his life when he retracted public land to create his ‘Golden Palace’ – a lavish home covering 125 acres. Furthermore, he was also complacent towards the Roman population when a great fire swept over the Roman Empire in AD 64, destroying homes and vital infrastructure, and caused many to become homeless. It was his lack of concern for his people’s welfare that sparked rumors that it was the Emperor himself who had set his city on fire in order to clear land for more personal developments. Nero knew the growing suspicion against him was not benevolent for his rule, so he quickly cast the blame on persons involved in the then rebellious Christian movement, and swiftly executed many for their alleged role in trying to destroy his empire – a great act of treason. Famously, it was during these executions that Nero had one of Jesus’ original disciples – Peter (known in Christian tradition as ‘the rock’ or the …show more content…
Built to appease the Romans and as a promise of a new era of responsible and compassionate rule, it was a symbol for the power of the people over the emperor. It is precisely for this reason that the image of the Colosseum has been reiterated over time. During antiquity, as the Colosseum was nearing completion, the senatorial mint under Titus honoured the architectural wonder by representing it on a bronze sesterce coin. This coin, shown in figure 2.1, is highly detailed and accurately depicts the architectural structure and layout of the Colosseum. On close
Human nature during this time was rather inhuman. The gladiators were slaves, rebels, criminals, and Christians. They had to fight against each other. The fighters used anyway possible to win a fight. They had to because if they fought and made the crowd happy and get the emperor’s thumbs up; they can be released and live their life again. If the gladiator did not make crowd h...
The culture of Ancient Rome had a distinct way to entertain its citizens. Besides spending times at the baths, Romans found pleasure and delight in the games held at the local coliseum. These games were among the bloodiest displays of public amusement in the history of man. Professional wrestling and boxing today, do not come close to the disgusting horrors that the people of Rome took so much pleasure in observing. Although the games were very bloody and extremely brutal, often killing many men and animals, the Romans enjoyed the scenery of life and death being very near. Watching men fight and eventually die a dreadful death, is what fascinated the Roman population in great degree as the games were one of their favorite ways to spend their leisure time. The ancient Romans had a very bloodthirsty taste for entertainment exhibited in the form of gladitorial combat.
Rome’s most famous landmark, Colosseum is a large Amphitheatre that could hold up to 50,000 people seated, which is located in Rome, Italy. The Colosseum was used as a royal treat, entertainment where gladiators would fight with wild beast in front of people, animal hunt, theatre performances and public executions for public entertainment and also the King himself. Most of the public event was held at Colosseum. The Roman Colosseum was built between 69 to 79 CE by the Vespasian emperor.
The citizens of Rome loved to go to these bloody warfares. In the city of Rome, these events were held in the Colosseum. An arena so large that it could hold 50,000 spectators and host fights between men and animals.
...m. This huge circular arena was the pinnacle of the Roman Gladiatorial games, and though it isn't fully intact, it is a great reminder of ancient culture. Though today these games seem inhumane and unnecessary, to their ancient culture it was a vacation from everyday stress. Even the Emperor was said to understand that though money and grain would satisfy and individual, large spectacles were necessary for the contentment of the masses' (wes civ).
On the night of 18 July to 19 July 64 the Great Fire of Rome occurred. According to Tacitus a historian who lived through this period and recorded the fire in some detail wrote, “The fire spread quickly, and burned for five days. It completely destroyed four of fourteen Roman districts and severely damaged seven others.” It was not certain who or what started the fire, but it was rumoured that Nero had planned it. Others said differently. A famous rumour was that Nero played on his fiddle while Rome burned, but this rumour was just a lie. However, someone had to be blamed, and because of rumours many held Nero responsible. Nero shifted the blame to the Christians living in Rome, and ordered all Christians to be killed. This is why Nero started persecuting the Christians in Rome at this time. It was easy for Nero to shift the blame onto the Christians, as Christianity was very new, and many people did not understand their views and beliefs; they ...
Colosseum was used just for gladiatorial battles, the Colosseum was also filled water so the
One of Nero’s many failures was the burning of Rome in A.D. 64. According to PBS the fire lasted an astounding 6 days and 7 nights burning 10 out of the 14 districts in Rome. Much of what is known about the great fire of Rome came from the historian Tacitus, who claimed that Nero watched Rome burn while merrily playing his fiddle. It was said by Tacitus that Nero started the fire on order to build Rome to his liking and to gain more power over the senate. It was also said that Nero was playing the fiddle on his balcony while watching the city burn but this is false since the fiddle wasn’t even created, it was created centuries later. Some say that he was singing while watching Rome burn but others say he was out of town and when he heard of the fire he came to help people he even
As distinct historical documents, Ancient Roman coins undeniably provide key insights into the culture and government of the time. Designed by rulers and the government, these coins do have limitations in the breadth of their historical representation: they do not necessarily reflect the goals and values of the people ruled. Yet herein lies their value as relevant governmental artifacts. Coins functioned similarly to political ads; they communicated values and intentions and were small, widely disseminated representations of how rulers wished to appear to the populace. Boldly breaking tradition, Julius Caesar became the first ruler to portray himself on coins, also utilizing inscriptions to proclaim his superiority as dictator. Establishing himself under a different title and a shift to idealized portraiture, Augustus later used coinage to maintain the guise of res restaurata while distancing himself from Caesar. Though an ancient Roman coin constitutes just a slice of life, it was emblematic as a valuable political tool for both rulers in controlling their desired public images.
During the middle and late third century Roman republic era gave rise to the arena games and became a great phenomenon for the Romans. An amphitheater, also known as a coliseum, housed these dangerous games that potentially harmed the audience as well as those who participated in them. Gladiatorial combat originated as part of funerals for deceased influential Romans. These large gladiatorial games were held by emperors during funerals of important roman officials, but were also included during other occasions. Over time the connection among the gladiator games and funerals decreased, and the upper class put on the games mainly to raise their social standing and gain favor with the public. Many politicians held these highly known games to help them sway votes of power and popularity (Meijer 2003, 27). “The arena was the embodiment of the empire.” (Futrell 1997, 209). The contestants, or the gladiators, had more significance of the Roman Empire beyond that as their role of entertainment.
He mostly wanted to perform music and poetry in public. He saw himself more as an artist and spent lots of money on big parties. Nero started to become more of a tyrant. He had anyone he didn’t like or disagree with him murdered. He ordered Christians to be thrown to the lions as entertainment. This is when Rome’s leaders suspected he was going insane, but they knew they couldn’t do anything about it because of how powerful Nero was. He killed his second wife, Poppaea, by kicking her in the stomach. In 64 A.D., a fire randomly swept across Rome. People believe Nero played the lyre and sang while watching Rome burn and he started the fire to clear room for his new palace. Nero needed someone to blame for the fire and he chose the Christians. They were killed by being burned alive, crucified, and being thrown to dogs. Nero’s palace, the Domus Aurea, was built where the fire had cleared Rome. It covered 100 acres of Rome and had a 100 feet tall bronze statue of himself, Colossus of Nero, at the entrance. After 14 years of ruling Rome, the senate tried to arrest Nero. On June 9, 68 A.D., he committed suicide outside of Rome after he found out the senate was coming to arrest
During the first half century after the crucifixion of Jesus, the Roman government including governors in the eastern provinces took no active measures against Christians. The attitude of the higher Roman authorities had always been that Christianity was merely a sect of Judaism, and as such, were entitled to share in its privileges as a recognized religion. In 64 A.D. this attitude suffered a severe alteration. On July 19, 64 A.D. occurred the great fire of Rome. Half a million people were left homeless. Popular rumor persistently asserted that the fire was started by incendiaries acting under the orders of the Emperor Nero. It was said that Nero wanted the city burnt down so he could build a new city which was to be re-named after himself. Nero felt that something must be done to deflect the public indignation against him. To do this he contrived that accusations should be brought against the Christians. So Nero began an aggressive persecution of the Christians in Rome. Those who confessed their guilt were brought to trail. During these trials a great number of other Christians were uncovered and were also brought to trial. Oddly enough, these people were not charged with starting the great fire of Rome, but rather for “hatred of the humankind.”
Good morning staff and students. Today I will be presenting an exposition detailing Emperor Nero’s ascent and decline regarding his powerful reign. He was born in 37AD as Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, but he is more commonly referred to as Emperor Nero. He is remembered as one of Rome’s most influential leaders and is famed for being a madman who played the lyre while Rome crumbled to pieces. Around Rome, he was known for being tyrant and for his erratic behavior regarding Rome’s future, fueled by his love for the arts. Today, he is remembered as an ineffectual, neglectful and brutal leader. However, there is considerably more to the Roman Emperor than his tyrant behavior and artistic passion. From his abuse of Christians and the abuse of leadership against powerful Romans, to the draining of the treasury, evidence suggests that Nero’s ineffective rule of Rome ultimately halted the empire’s expansion during his reign.
“The Romans are often characterized as loving violent and cruel entertainment in the amphitheatre. It has been suggested that the games served the dual purpose of providing entertainment for the people and maintaining the political status quo.”
The Roman Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is perhaps the most famous ancient landmark in the world. The Colosseum was the host to thousands of gladiatorial shows, mock naval battles, executions, and animal hunts. Today, the Colosseum still stands in the center of Rome, Italy, however, not quite as it used to be. Still, today, the Roman Colosseum is a large tourist attraction, thousands of tourists from all over the world still come to view this marveled arena. The Roman Colosseum has a rich history, and remains a prized possession of the Roman citizens.