1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,000
The Colosseum, the great amphitheatre of antiquity, the historic centre of Rome.

2
00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:11,000
The Colosseum stands in the centre of Rome.

3
00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:17,000
It was inaugurated in 80 AD at the height of the Roman Empire.

4
00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:24,000
It is 527 metres in circumference and 48.5 metres high.

5
00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:29,000
This huge amphitheatre could seat around 50,000 people.

6
00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:33,000
The underground structure is now fully exposed.

7
00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:39,000
There is a maze-like network of corridors and rooms that were originally hidden under the floor.

8
00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:45,000
Advanced devices for the time were installed to stage the various events.

9
00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:53,000
Several hand-operated lifts were placed near the corridor.

10
00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:58,000
Gladiators faced their opponents and animals were lifted up to the arena floor.

11
00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:07,000
The Roman Emperor was the main organiser of such shows.

12
00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:12,000
Emperors were consistently faced by the threat of rebellion and assassination

13
00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:17,000
and tried to maintain the peace by giving favours to the citizens by hosting events.

14
00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:22,000
The Colosseum had another important role in the Emperor's politics.

15
00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:27,000
The name of the senior senator was carved onto these stones.

16
00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:32,000
They used to place their chair on top and watch the game.

17
00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:35,000
It was a reserved seat for him.

18
00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:41,000
The seats were divided into several sections according to the social classes.

19
00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:44,000
The first level was for senior senators,

20
00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:46,000
the second for knights,

21
00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:48,000
the third for Roman citizens

22
00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:50,000
and the top for non-citizens.

23
00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:54,000
It reflected the strict class system of the Empire.

24
00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:58,000
The Emperor's seat was located in the very centre of the Colosseum.

25
00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:01,000
He sat in a place where all spectators could see him.

26
00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:04,000
He was greeted with huge cheers.

27
00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:08,000
The most spectacular event held here was the Namakie.

28
00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:12,000
They filled the arena with water and floated real battleships

29
00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:17,000
to recreate historic battles in front of thousands of excited spectators.

30
00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:23,000
The Roman Emperor sought to win people's hearts and minds by providing exciting events.

31
00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:30,000
The presentations kept the Emperor and his subjects awed and inspired.