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Colosseum Arena
There were 36 trap doors in Arena allowing for
elaborate special effects. Via these trap doors scenery,
gladiators and exotic wild animals would instantly appear in
the arena without prior warning.
Beneath the Colosseum
Arena
The area beneath the
Colosseum was called the
Hypogeum
(meaning underground). The hypogeum consisted of two-level
subterranean network of tunnels and 32 animal pens. It had
80 vertical shafts which provided instant access to the
arena for animals and scenery.
For hoisting the largest
animals such as elephants and hippopotamus the Roman
engineers created mechanical devices called hegmata which
were strong hinged platforms which could also be hoisted up
to the arena.
Beneath the Colosseum
Purpose of the Colosseum
Arena
The arena in the Roman
Colosseum was used for staging various spectacular and
bloody events including gladiator fights, wild animal
displays, theatrical entertainment, executions, religious
ceremonies, mock sea battles and re-playing famous Roman
victories. The Roman engineers structured the arena so it
could become flooded to display mock battles, however, just
after the Colosseum was built the hypogeum was added which
then made this type of entertainment impossible.
Water Battles at the Colosseum
Colosseum Arena - Safety
Measures
The Colosseum Arena
was really dangerous. Wild, exotic animals such as lions,
tigers and elephants ran loose in the arena and it would
have been a monumental disaster if any of the spectators had
been killed by accident. The following safety measures were
put in place to avoid such disasters
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The Arena: The arena was the area of the
Colosseum where the events were held which was separated from the
seating areas by a massive wall, faced with marble. A large ditch
(euripi) providing even more protection.
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The massive marble wall measured 15ft high and
had rollers on the top in order to prevent any possibility of savage
animals climbing over and reaching the important people sitting on
the podium
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There was also a ditch, containing a series of
niches, providing additional protection
-
There are some theories that archers were
positioned in the niches ready to kill any beasts that might cause a
threat to the audience
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Nets were also attached to the wall as an added
safety precaution
Colosseum Arena - The Gate
of Life and the Gate of Death
Entry to the Colosseum Arena
was made through the Gate of Life called the
Porta Sanavivaria. Successful exits following combat was
also taken through this gate. Injured gladiators then made
their way to the
Saniarium was where the wounded
gladiators were taken for medical attention.
The people and animals, who were
killed without mercy in the arena, were dragged out through
the Gate of Death which led to the
Spoliarium
where the corpses of the gladiators
were stripped of their armor and weapons. These gates were
connected to tunnels which led to buildings outside the
Colosseum which formed part of the complex.
Colosseum
Entrances and Exits
Tunnels under
the Colosseum
Colosseum Arena
The content of this Colosseum Arena
category on life in Ancient Rome provides free educational
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