Colosseum

Archival Summary & Scope

Explore Rome's iconic Colosseum in this engaging account. Utilizing state-of-the-art computer graphics, the book vividly recreates the 160-foot-high oval stadium's decade-long construction (beginning c. 72 AD under Emperor Vespasian) and its role as the brutal stage for gladiatorial contests and deadly spectacles. New research debunks common myths, particularly those popularized by films like *Gladiator*, offering a fresh perspective on the true nature of these games. For the first time, groundbreaking evidence reveals the intricate methods used to flood the arena for dramatic sea battles.