Gladiators and Secrets of The Colosseum

Entertainment during the Roman Empire looked quite different than what we seek in modern times. This program explores who a gladiator actually was (professional vs slave), how the Colosseum provided a world-renowned stage for these shows, and the various types of gladiatorial spectacle. We explore the architecture of the Roman Colosseum, unearthing its secrets and trap doors, imagining what it must have been like for a gladiator in the arena to face a wild animal from the far reaches of the Roman Empire. We also trace modern athletics and sports to their roots in Ancient Rome