HISTORY This Week The Colosseum Becomes a Wonder | A Conversation with Barry Strauss & Alison Futrell
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Jun 30, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, historian Barry Strauss, author of "The War That Made the Roman Empire," joins Alison Futrell, co-editor of "The Oxford Handbook of Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World," to delve into the Colosseum's history. They explore its architectural significance and the power dynamics of ancient Rome through public spectacles. Topics include the role of gladiators, the impact of games on political legitimacy, and the emotional ties between combatants and their audience, shedding light on this iconic symbol of imperial authority.
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Modern Spectacle Echoes Ancient Pageantry
- The 2007 ceremony in Lisbon named the Colosseum one of the new seven wonders amid pop stars, dancers, and fireworks.
- The spectacle echoed the Colosseum's ancient role as a stage for massive public entertainment and pageantry.
Ruins Reshape Visitor Perception
- The Colosseum's ruins reveal substructures and chambers that change modern visitors' understanding of ancient events.
- Alison Futrell emphasizes that visible underground areas were not part of the spectator experience in antiquity.
Not A Quiet Classical Theater
- At its height the Colosseum felt like a roaring sports arena with social intensity and raucous crowds.
- Barry Strauss compares the atmosphere to major boxing or football stadiums, not quiet classical performances.
