The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-02
THE grandest and most renowned of
all the amphtheatres is the Coll


all the amphitheatres is the Coll
scum at Rome. It was built by
vespasian and his son. Titus, the conquer
ors of jerusalem, in a valley in the Ast
OF the seven hills of Rome. Within, the
galleries Of seats projected forward. each
tier coming out far beyond the one above
1t; so that between the lowest and the
outer wall there was room for a great
space of chambers passages and vaults
around the central space. called the arena,
from the arena. or sand. with which it was
strewn. When the Roman emperors grew
very vain and luxurious, they used to
have this sand made ornamental with
metallic filings, vermilion, and even
powdered precious stones; but It was
thought better taste to use the scrapings
of a soft white stone, which when thick
ly strewn made the whole arena look as
If covered with untrodden snow. The
multitude, who poured in early. would
watch the great dignltaries arrive and
take their seats, greeting them with
either shouts of applause or hootings of
dislike, according as they were favorites
or otherwise; and when the emperor
came in to take his place under his can
opy. there was one loud reclamation.
10y to thee, master of all, first of all,
happiest of all Victory to thee for
everi"
When the emperor had seated himself
and given the signal. the sports began.
Sometimes a rope dancing elephant would
begin the entertainment by mounting
even to the summit of the building and
descending by a cord. Then a bear,
dressed up as a Roman matron, would
be carried along in chair between por-
ters as ladies' we're wont to go abroad,
and another bear, In a lawyers robe,
would stand on his hind legs and go
through the motions of pleading cause.
Or a lion came forth with jeweled
crown on his head a diamond necklace
round his neck. his name plated with gold
and his claws gilded, and played a hum
dred, gentle antics with little hare that
danced fearessly within his grasp
But the Coliseum had not been built
for such harmless spectacles as those
first described. The fierce Romans want
ed to be excited and feel themselves
strongly stirred. and presently the doors
of the pits and dens round the arena
were thrown open and absolutely savage
beasts were let loose upon one another
--rhinoceroses and tigers, bulls and lions,
leopards and wild boars-while the peo-
pie watched with savage curiosity to see
the various kinds of attack and defense.
A1msot incredible numbers of animals
were imported for these cruel sports, and
the governors of distant provinces made
1t duty to collect troops of lions. ele-
plants, ostriches, leopards-the f1ercer or
the newer creature, the better-to be thus
tortured to frenzy to make sport in the
amphitheater. However, there was
daintiness Joined with cruelty; the Ro-
mans did not like the smell of blood
though they enjoyed the sight of it, and
all the solid stone work was pierced with
tubes. through which was conducted the
steam of spices and saffron boiled In
wine, that the perfume might overpower
the scent of slaughter below.
The carcasses were dragged off with
hooks the blood-stained sand was COW
cred with a fresh clean layer the per-
fume was waited in stronger clouds, and
a procession came forward-tall, well
made men in the prime of their strength
Seine carried a sword and lasso. others
a arr1or, other in the full heavy equip
ment OF q soldier some on horseback.
come in chariots, some on foot. They
marched in and made their obeisance to
the emperor, and with once voice their
greeting sounded Though the building:
Ave, Caesar! Morituri te salutant!'-
HAIL Caesari Those about to die salute
thee" They were the charlottesville
swordsmen trained to fight to death to
amuse the populace Fights of all sorts
took place-the lightarmed soldier and
the netsman-the lasso and the Javelin.
the two heavy armed warriors. all COM
bina tons of single combat, and some
times general melee. When a gladiator
wounded his adversary, he shouted to the