When
people think of Rome, or when people think of Italy…
indeed, when people thing of EUROPE one of the icons that
shines out is the Colosseum. Over 160 ft high with eighty
entrances, the Colosseum could hold upwards of 50,000
spectators. Public events such as gladiator fights, mock
naval battles, and wild animal hunts were held at the
Colosseum. During the staged fights as many as 10,000
people were killed. Fighters were slaves, prisoners, or
even volunteers! Like its sister building, the Circus
Maximus, the Colosseum was built to keep the common Romans
occupied. Bread was often given out for free during fights,
along with free admission to future fights. Romans who
were having fun watching men and wild animals crash about
didn’t riot and didn’t try to kill their rulers.
The famous phrase “bread and circuses” has
become proverbial to describe those who give away significant
rights in exchange for material pleasures or those who
allow themselves to be lead by the nose. |
