The Colosseum

Christians never battled lions in the Colosseum. Thedespite his villainous reputation was responsible for the
Colosseum became one of the most visible landmarksrestoration and protection of many of Rome's
in the world thanks to that notorious Italian villainarcheological sites including the Colosseum. Mussolini
Mussolini. Paul McCartney gave a concert in thewanted to return Italy to its former greatness at the
Colosseum.height of the Roman Empire so he designated
We took a tour of the Colosseum in Rome and Isubstantial government funds for the excavation and
learned some interesting things from our guidepreservation of the Colosseum, the Forum, the
Elizabeth, a knowledgeable young woman with a PHDPantheon and other important ancient landmarks. He
in archeology. She told me current economic timesstaged quite a number of rallies in the Colosseum to
aren't great for archeologists so she needs tostir up nationalistic pride and Italian patriotism among his
supplement her income from 'dig' contracts by givingpeople. Mussolini was eventually murdered by Italian
tours. Although it's too bad she can't pursue herpartisans and hung upside down for public viewing
profession full time its great for visitors to Rome tosince he was considered such a disgrace to his own
have such a well informed guide.nation. He's not a celebrated hero in Italian history but
Elizabeth cleared up some misconceptions I had abouthad he not led the country from 1922-1943 I might not
the Colosseum. One of these was that Christianshave toured the Colosseum.
battled lions there. The Colosseum, which was builtThousands of people visit the Colosseum every year
largely with the labor of thousands of Jewish slavesbut care must taken to balance the need for income
brought to Rome by the emperor Titus after hefrom tourists with the need to preserve and maintain
destroyed the temple in Jerusalem, was certainly anwhat is left of the structure. Consequently the
arena for death. The wildlife of northern Africa wasColosseum is no longer the site of huge public events
significantly depleted by the three hundred years ofbut occasionally special concerts are still held there.
savage sport staged in the Colosseum, featuringOur guide Elizabeth said a few years ago four
animals and gladiators fighting to satisfy the blood lusthundred people paid close to $2000 each to attend a
of the up to 80,000 fans in the audience. However, ourcharity concert Paul McCartney gave inside the
guide Elizabeth made it clear there is no historical proofColosseum. Later he staged a free show just outside
for the exciting tales of early Christians being thrownthe Colosseum for 300,000 fans. The money
to the lions in the Colosseum. Historians now believegenerated from ticket sales and television rights was
those stories were invented to glamorize the sufferingdonated to various charities including one for landmines
of early Christians at the hands of the Romans.removal and another to rescue artifacts ransacked
Despite the fact there are no written records offrom museums in Iraq.
Christians being martyred in the Colosseum it remainsI learned the Colosseum has been the site of many
a holy site for the Catholic church and every Goodhistoric spectacles in the last 2000 years including rock
Friday the Pope leads the stations of the crossconcerts, papal processions, fascist rallies and gory
procession at the Colosseum, commemorating thebattles. It's intriguing to think about what else
fourteen stages of Christ's passion.archeologists might discover happened there and what
Elizabeth also told us the fascist dictator Mussolinifuture events might take place in this famous building.