Armando Godinez

12/2/16
P5
Ancient Rome
For my ornament I chose to paint the Colosseum to represent the Ancient Roman
Civilization as we as Roman Architecture. I believe that the Colosseum was one of Romes
greatest achievements. It has an important history in entertainment, architecture, and political
moves.

Even after taking his own life in A.D. 68, Roman Emperor Neros misrule and excesses
caused a series of civil wars to break out. At least four emperors sat upon the throne the year
after Neros death. The fourth, Vespasian, would end up ruling for 10 years (A.D. 69-79). In that
time, to show the people that things would be different under his rule, he gave back the lush land
near the center of the city, where Nero had built an enormous palace for himself after a great fire
ripped through Rome in A.D. 64. Around 75 A.D. he decided to build a new amphitheater where
the people could enjoy entertainment such as gladiatorial battles.

The roman people were able to view many forms of entertainment, the most popular of
which was gladiator or swordsmen fights. Beginning around 264 B.C., at the funeral of Junius
Brutus, slaves were forced to fight to the death. Growing in popularity, it began to include
prisoners of war, criminals, and slaves as the normal gladiators that were seen in the arena.
Fighting with different weapons or riding on chariots, gladiators battled until one was dominant
over another. Criminals were also fed to, or forced to fight wild beasts such as lions, much to the
excitement of the spectators.

The Colosseum took almost ten years to build, a spectacle of engineering, reaching one-
hundred and seven feet high. It sustained over five hundred years of use, holding up to 50, 000
romans, and being filled almost every time. It was truly a symbol of not only Roman strength
and power but also violence. And continues to amaze people to this day.

With such a rich history it is obvious why anyone would be fascinated with the history of
the Colosseum. From its construction to its use, it is clear that the Colosseum was very important
to Roman culture. Clearly, the Colosseum is one of the greatest creations to come out of Rome.
Armando Godinez
12/2/16
P5
Works Cited

Colosseum - Why were the games important for Romans?

http://referaty.aktuality.sk/colosseum-why-were-the-games-important-for-romans/referat-1251

COLOSSEUM
http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/colosseum

The Roman Colosseum and the Entertainment it Provided

http://academic.mu.edu/meissnerd/colosseum.html