4. Roman Arena was an important political tool. A place where he and. 5. This had to be my way of the Pit. They go for me.

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1 Name: Core: Listening Guide: Colosseum: Rome s Arena of Death Aristocrat: A member of a ruling class or of the nobility. Politician: One who holds or wants to hold office. Sponsor: One who takes responsibility for another person or group. They may pay for the project the person is involved in or give the person money. Dynasty: A sequence (order) of rulers in the same family or group. Celt: A person from Irish, Gaels, Welsh, and Bretons decent. 1. Gladiators came from. 2. Sold off at. 3. The amphitheater held over people. 4. Roman Arena was an important political tool. A place where he and the people of Rome. 5. This had to be my way of the Pit. They go for me. So he started a. 6. Over million cubic feet of stone was needed to build the arena. 7. To become a gladiator is to make a pact with. 8. It was my freedom compared to the pit. This way my would be in my.

2 9. In two days we were in Rome. It felt like arriving in. 10. Gladiators were bought and sold like clubs buy and sell players today. 11. Vespasian believed if he built the and put on the best it would ensure his dynasty for years to come. And all his knew it. 12. Druses, the former gladiator was my. 13. He won the wooden sword and his after a brilliant fight in the arena. 14. Always, the night before the fight there was a. 15. The games themselves were paid for by a. An aristocratic politician seeking popularity. 16. Nemesis is the goddess of, fortune and. 17. Fights were not without. 18. It s a that every fight resulted in a death of a gladiator. 19. If a fighter was killed in the game the had to pay for the replacement. 20. I knew that if I lost again a sponsor wouldn t me a second time. 21. Gladiatorial contests were by far the most popular form of in ancient Rome. 22. The emperor wanted. It was a gladiators duty to. 23. Titus let the choose the outcome they liked best.

3 24. I do not know who my opponent will be, just that the will not be spared. 25. His opponent is his friend,. 26. Two fought and won. 27. Titus died as one of the most emperors in history. National Geographic presents the epic documentary of The Roman Colosseum The Colosseum in ancient Rome staged the blockbuster entertainment of its day, where superstar gladiators would fight to the death in the ultimate showdowns. A gigantic oval 615 ft long, 510 ft wide and over 157 ft high, the Colosseum pushed Roman technology to its absolute limits. Its state-of-the art features are still only found in the most advanced superdomes today. Commissioned in AD 69 by the Emperor Vespasian, it was built next to a huge golden statue of Nero known as the Colossus hence its nickname: the Colosseum. It is a symphony of arches 240 grand stone arches grace its exterior alone. To achieve the massive heights required, the Romans invented the red brick, and bound these together with another Roman invention concrete. The grand opening included a set of inaugural games that lasted 100 days and perhaps even a naval combat in the arena. After this, the games got ever more ambitious, and to facilitate them, Vespasian s younger son Domitian constructed the most amazing part of the Colosseum the hypogeum. This underground labyrinth with 30 elevators and 60 trapdoors opening up into the arena above, from which gladiators, wild beasts and even collapsible scenery could pop up, helped turn the Colosseum into the iconic monument it is today, and form the blueprint for sports arenas for centuries to come

4 Questions for The Roman Colosseum from National Geographic 1. Do you think the idea of the colosseum and the games are barbaric? Why? 2. If they were to build another colosseum and gladiator games do you think people would attend as they did in ancient times? Why or why not? 3. List three ways the colosseum has impacted the world we live in today. 4. Relate the colosseum and its games to entertainment today. Think of TV, Movies, Games, Video Games, Places,

5 Gladiator Poem: Verus was a well-known gladiator during the reigns of the Emperors Vespasian and Titus in the latter part of the 1st century. His combat with Priscus was the highlight of the opening day of the games conducted by Titus to inaugurate the Flavian Amphitheatre (later the Colosseum) in AD 80, and was recorded in a laudatory poem by Martial the only detailed description of a gladiatorial fight that has survived to the present day. Both gladiators were declared victors of the combat, and were awarded their freedom by the Emperor in a unique outcome. Martial, Liber de Spectaculis, XXIX As Priscus and Verus each lengthened the contest, And for a long time the battle was equal on each side, Repeatedly loud shouts petitioned for the men to be released; But Caesar followed his own law; It was the law to fight without shield until a finger was raised: He did what was allowed, often gave dishes and gifts. But an end was found to the equal division: Equals to fight, equals to yield. Caesar sent wooden swords to both and palms to both: Thus skillful courage received its prize. This took place under no prince except you, Caesar: When two fought, both were the victor.