Dan Snow's History Hit

The Colosseum

10 snips
Aug 19, 2025
Simon Elliott, a leading Roman historian, joins gladiator expert Alexander Mariotti and Roman history aficionado Shushma Malik to delve into the captivating history of the Colosseum. They discuss the evolution of gladiatorial combat from grim funerary rites to thrilling spectacles. Elliott reveals Vespasian's ambitious vision and the architectural marvel of the Colosseum, while Mariotti shares insights into the rigorous training of gladiators, contrasting their celebrity status with the harsh realities of their lives. Malik highlights the Colosseum's legacy and transformation through time.
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INSIGHT

Colosseum As Political Statement

  • Vespasian built the Colosseum to reclaim Nero's land and restore public trust after the great fire.
  • The amphitheatre was a political tool to display imperial benefaction and power across the empire.
INSIGHT

Engineering Meets Pageantry

  • The Colosseum combined engineering, aesthetics, and spectacle to project Roman dominance.
  • Statues, paint and architectural orders turned the arena into a civic stage for empire-wide display.
ADVICE

Legitimize Power With Public Projects

  • Use public works to symbolically return contested space to the people and legitimize leadership.
  • Make large-scale projects visible and tied to civic rituals to cement authority.
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