ANSWERS

The Roman emperor Vespasian (AD 9–79) ordered the Colosseum to be built in about AD 70. In this vast stadium, Romans could watch gladiators and wild animals fight to the death. The huge oval structure took about 10 years to build and could hold some 50,000 spectators, shaded from the sun by an enormous canvas canopy. The tiers of seats were supported on a series of arches. These were built with concrete, a material that the Romans invented. The concrete was faced with brick or stone to give a good finish.

Inside was the arena, where the combats took place. Its wooden floor was covered with sand to absorb any spilled blood. The arena could be flooded with water so that mock sea battles could be held.

Below the ground was a maze of rooms, cages, and corridors. Here the gladiators and animals would wait before entering the arena. Lifts operated by pulleys hoisted the caged animals through a trapdoor into the arena.