The Colosseum of Rome is one of the few ancient wonders that still survives to this day. Historians have learned much about this fantastic structure, and about the lives of Roman citizens through the study of this one building. It quickly became the center of Rome, the ultimate entertainment for the masses, and a tool for politicians. Built of stone and concrete over a period of ten years by 60,000 Jewish slaves, it has stood for nearly 2,000 years. Do you know: What horrible event allowed the colosseum to be built? What was the colosseum in roman originally called? When was the Roman colosseum first used? Did the colosseum ever have a roof? How long did it take to empty the colosseum of people? Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts. Ages 8 and up. All measurements in American and metric. Reading Level: 6.8 Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.
The Colosseum in Rome is one of Europe's most iconic landmarks. With two thousand years of history, there is a lot to know about the Roman Colosseum. It has witnessed gladiator battles and epic hunts with humans versus wild animals. It is a fascinating place to experience, providing an insight into the history of the ancient Romans.
Do you know what the ancient Romans used instead of soap? Which emperor made his horse into a senator? Who was the god of music, light and truth? And how would a gladiator request an honourable death in battle? All these questions and more are answered in this fascinating easy-to-read guide to ancient Rome. Whether you are studying the subject and need access to the important information fast, or you are just interested in this fascinating period of history, this excellent quick-read guide containing over one hundred facts is a perfect addition to your bookshelf.
"Daily life in Ancient Rome from Colosseum to commode, explore how this powerful empire ruled much of the world for more than 1000 years. Fifty amazing and amusing facts will make readers rulers of Roman trivia."--
100 Facts Gladiators is a non fiction book for kids, bursting with detailed historical images, great activities and exactly 100 gladiator facts for kids. Children will learn everything they need to know about these ancient Roman warriors. 100 Facts Gladiators covers key topics about the ancient spectator sport of fighting to the death in straightforward numbered facts. Each fact is accompanied by beautiful illustrations and photographs, which add visual meaning to the information for kids. Essential topics covered in 100 Facts Gladiators: - The origins of the gladiators and the first fights - Famous gladiators such as Spartacus and the day in the life of a typical gladiator - The changing purpose of the arena for entertainment, politics and a place for punishment Examples of 'I don't believe it' fascinating facts: - Gladiator helmets were very heavy. They weighed about 7 kilograms - twice as much as an army helmet! - The Romans loved watching animals that had been trained to perform tricks. One animal trainer put on shows in which an ape drove a chariot pulled by camels. - In 165 BC, a play was interrupted when the entire audience left the theatre to watch a gladiatorial show. The actors were left alone in the theatre! Activities to make learning accessible and interactive include: - Make a shield with cardboard, string, coloured pencils and scissors - Quiz question: What name was given to men who trained gladiators? - Recreate the combat of the Andabatae with a game. You will need a blindfold and four or more players Author: Rupert Matthews Consultant: Philip Steele Pages: 48 Age: 6+ Dimensions: 9 X 12 Format: Paperback with holographic foil ISBN: 9781842368787
*Includes pictures. *Explains how the Romans designed and built the Colosseum. *Includes ancient accounts of games held in the Colosseum. *Includes a bibliography for further reading. "Let barbarous Memphis speak no more of the wonder of its pyramids, nor Assyrian toil boast of Babylon; nor let the soft Ionians be extolled for Trivia's temple; let the altar of many horns say nothing of Delos; nor let the Carians exalt to the skies with extravagant praises the Mausoleum poised on empty air. All labors yield to Caesar's Amphitheatre. Fame shall tell of one work instead of all." - Martial When the Colosseum was built in the late 1st century A.D., the Romans, a people known for their architectural acumen, managed to amaze themselves. Martial, a Roman poet writing during the inauguration of the Colosseum, clearly believed the Colosseum was so grand a monument that it was even greater than the other Wonders of the Ancient World, which had been written about and visited endlessly by the Romans and Greeks in antiquity. Indeed, although the Wonders were wondrous to behold, the Colosseum was a spectacular achievement in architecture, something new and innovative, and therefore an amazing "Wonder" in its own way. The Colosseum was designed to be both a symbol and show of strength by the famous Flavian emperors, most notably Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian. Vespasian had started the construction of the Colosseum shortly after becoming emperor in 69 A.D., but he died before he could present any spectacles in his giant amphitheatre. That honor went to his son Titus, who celebrated the inaugural opening in 80 A.D. with 100 days of games, despite the fact that the Colosseum was not completely finished. When his brother Domitian came to power in 81 A.D., he finished the amphitheatre, but not without making some changes to the overall design. By the time it was truly finished, the Colosseum stood about 150 feet tall, with the oval in the center stretching nearly two football fields long and over 500 feet across. The Colosseum is a large stadium even by today's standards, and its great size conveys the power of the empire as it dominates the landscape and towers over nearby buildings. Nearly 2,000 years later, the Colosseum still amazes millions of people who come to visit it, and when asked to visualize a monument that represents the Roman Empire, many conjure up an image of the large amphitheater. As Keith Hopkins and Mary Beard put it, the Colosseum is "the most famous, and instantly recognizable, monument to have survived from the classical world." At the same time, the Colosseum also represents the Roman games and spectacles, particularly the gladiatorial combats that so many people today find both abhorrent yet fascinating. Given its massive size and the architectural ingenuity involved, the Colosseum played host to all sorts of games, including massive hunts of exotic animals and even sea battles. The Roman Colosseum: The History of the World's Most Famous Arena comprehensively covers the history and construction of Rome's largest amphitheater. Along with a bibliography and pictures, you will learn about the Colosseum like you never have before, in no time at all.
Byron and Hitler were equally entranced by Rome’s most famous monument, the Colosseum. Mid-Victorians admired the hundreds of varieties of flowers in its crannies and occasionally shuddered at its reputation for contagion, danger, and sexual temptation. Today it is the highlight of a tour of Italy for more than three million visitors a year, a concert arena for the likes of Paul McCartney, and a national symbol of opposition to the death penalty. Its ancient history is chock full of romantic but erroneous myths. There is no evidence that any gladiator ever said “Hail Caesar, those about to die...” and we know of not one single Christian martyr who met his finish here. Yet the reality is much stranger than the legend as the authors, two prominent classical historians, explain in this absorbing account. We learn the details of how the arena was built and at what cost; we are introduced to the emperors who sometimes fought in gladiatorial games staged at the Colosseum; and we take measure of the audience who reveled in, or opposed, these games. The authors also trace the strange afterlife of the monument—as fortress, shrine of martyrs, church, and glue factory. Why are we so fascinated with this arena of death?
More than 1,500 years have passed since the last blood – human or animal – was spilled in the Colosseum, but the massive building erected by the Flavian emperors has continued to play a role in history. This book tells the dramatic story of the Colosseum – from its bloody gladiatorial games and the sacrifice of early Christians to the dismantling of the arena and its final restoration. The book also recounts the story of Rome as viewed from the vantage point of the empire’s most impressive ruins.
