Moana Kuewa

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		2009.09.11 ITALY Rome Coloseum Chris with Niece Marie;2009.01.02 Jeff; 2007.11.28 Francis, Bernie & June Location: ITALY: Rome The common name for Rome’s greatest amphitheater is the Coliseum, a “shortened name” that referred to the huge bronze statue from Nero’s palace that once stood at its gate called the “Colossus of Nero.” The amphitheater's actual name is the “Flavian Amphitheater.” It was commissioned in 72 AD by Emperor Vespasian. He ordered the Coliseum to be built on the site of Nero’s Palace to disassociate himself from the past hated tyrant after Nero’s Palace burnt in a second terrible fire in 69 AD. The Coliseum held 55,000 people. Most events would last all day, include a free lunch, and were FREE. Each entrance had stairs that led directly to seats at four levels based upon the person’s social status. The emperor and consul had their own separate entrance and were seated on the ground level. Dignitaries, respected Government officials, and invited guests sat in the second level. The third level was reserved for the “common” men and the fourth level for all women (besides their lowly status isolating the women to the top tier allowed the men a quick visit to the acclaimed brothel rooms directly outside the Coliseum before the wives could find them). A phallic symbol was even carved into the stone pointing the way to the brothel. The internal corridors allowed the large crowd to be seated and exit quickly. The arena floor covered a network of corridors containing props, lifts, and cages for wild animals. It was also covered with sand for easy cleanup of the blood and guts. Deadly gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights were staged by emperors and wealthy citizens largely to gain popularity. Unlike the movies, gladiators were professional fighters highly trained by formal schools. Although they fought bravely, they seldom killed one another. The loosing gladiator would kneel raising his sword to yield. The other would be declared the “winner” and receive a large sum of money. Both lived to fight another day, if they did not die of an infection from the wound(s) they received. However, criminals and Christians were killed after the gladiatorial fights and the finally was usually gladiators chasing/punishing common criminals with or without killing them based upon the emperor’s hand gesture. An extended arm with an open hand palm down meant the benevolent ruler would spare the person’s life. If the emperor closed his fist, the person was killed. Unlike the movies, there was no consensus vote or “thumbs up” or “thumbs down.” Niece Marie and Auntie Chris met a Roman Gladiator (reincarnated). Strange how he wanted to hold both ladies in his arms but only got a kiss on the cheek from Marie. Jeff would have spent the entire day sitting in the arena if it was not so very cold and raining. He believes in a past life he was a gladiator. Somehow, that seems easy to believe. This is the one place he wanted to see in all of Europe. It is “awesome.” Bernie and June Francis were kind enough to schedule a trip to Rome with Chris to share their knowledge of their favorite places plus brave the cold in November to show Chris the Coliseum. Traveling Individuals Names: 2009.09.11 Niece Marie Messina & Auntie Chris; 2009.01.02 Jeff Cheske & Chris; 2007.11.28 Bernie & June Francis & Chris * Some of the descriptions are taken from the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide – Italy and narrative given by the professional guide on 2009.01.02