Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-03-21
THE COLOSSEUM.
BY PROF. j. /. KINDS.

BY PROF. j. I. KINDS.
Eighty thousand people seated in
one building, and twenty thousand
more stand in the aisles and gal.
leries! One hundred thousand PEG.
pie assembled in Rome's great am.
Iphitheatre! Kings, queens, princes,
mobiles, and common people, with
one accord gathered together to see
men engage in mortal combat and
battle their hands in each others
blood.
The Colosseum was the largest
theatre ever built, and is one of the
most imposing ruins in the world. 1t
must be seen to be appreciated. 1t
is elliptical in shape, and is 612 feet
long and 515 wide. 1t is about one
third of a mile around it. 1t was
entirely built of stone, the outside
being encrusted with marble and dec
GRATED with statues. 1t was com.
posed of four stories, each of which
was formed By eighty arches, sup
ported by as many marble columns.
Each of the arches ofthe lower story
served as an entrance to the building,
and in every fourth one there was a
staircase. The entire height was
about 16O feet.
Within the building in the center,
was the arena, SO called because it
was usually covered with fine sand.
This was also elliptical in shape, and
$50 feet long and 16O feet wide. 1t
was here that the contest took place.
Around the arena were some eighty
rows OF marble seats, rising one be-
hind and above the other. In tie
arcades beneath the seats were the
dens for the wild animals and the
cells in which the gladiators were
kept.
The Colosseum was built by Titus,
about eighty years after Christ. Its
completion was celebrated BY gladi-
atorial combats continuing one hun
dred days. 1t is said during this
time five thousand animals were
killed for the amusement of the null
titude, and nobody knows how many
men. In the arena were given all
sorts of games, shows, exhibitions,
and contests. Arrangements were
even made by which 1T could be
flooded by water. Boats were float
ed IN it, and naval battles were
fought there.
During the middle ages the Colos-
scum was used as a fortress. In the
fourteen century its destruction be-
gan. The stone was carried away
to be used in building other houses.
AT least three magnificent palaces
were largely built of material taken
from the Colosseum. In the eigh-
teenth century means were taken to
preserve it, and large buttresses
were afterward built to prevent the
walls from falling.
Only about one-third of the struc-
ture remains, and yet an architect
has estimated that the stone still In
the ruins is worth 80, 5OO,O 900. Ifthis
be true, the material alone used in
the construction of this vast am
phitheatrc must have cost near 49,
O00. 900. A moderate estimate oflts
entire cost may be placed at $780,
OOO.0O
The games, contests, and displays
in the Colosseum were under the
special direction and patronage of
the emperor, and vast sums of money
were spent upon them. They have
been excelled, perhaps, either in
magnlfcence or cruelty, by no ex-
hibitions in any country or age. But
when we think of the hundreds of
human beings who we're here com
PEELED to sacrifice their lives in order
to divert the minds of a bood-thirsty
people, we can bat rejoice that the
whole is now a Wondering mass of
ruins.
The Colosseum in its glory may be
taken as symbol Of the greatness
of Rome. In its ruins, it is emblemat-
ic Of her departed grandeur, and Of
the fact that the cruel rites winch
were celebrated within its walls have
given place to the more benign and
humane Influences Of Christianity
From Sunday School Gem.
Nothing exasperates a woman,
Tho has boass oho dsnw hor oxoc fros,,