The Jim Polito Show

The Jim Polito Show

Jim Polito hands out the red pills every weekday morning. He is the antidote to the mainstream media. Jim was an award-winning investigative...Full Bio

 

Hollywood has never told the complete and true story of the Colosseum.

The film Gladiator (2000) accurately portrayed the brutality of the Colosseum’s games but Hollywood took some liberties with history. In the video below, Dr. Federico Pellegrini stands on the same spot where Roman citizens stood as he passionately brings to life the Colosseum of the first century. Dr. Pellegrini separates myth from truth in this fascinating and entertaining presentation. He brings to life the lives of those who watched or died in the spectacles of the arena. You will learn that few Christians were executed in the Colosseum. Just like today, the best seats were reserved for those with money and power, but unlike Gillette Stadium, 70 thousand spectators could exit the Colosseum in 15 minutes. The thumbs up or down from the emperor is just one more creation of Hollywood so sit back and CLICK BELOW for the real story of the Colosseum.

Ancient Rome's Colosseum held 70 thousand people and was designed so they could all exit in about fifteen minutes. A wooden floor was in the center and served as the stage. It contained trap doors from the passages below and was covered in sand. The Latin word for sand is "arena" and that is origin of the modern word for large open amphitheaters. Photo: Jim Polito

The location of your seat in the Colosseum showed others where you stood in Roman society. Just like today, the closer to the action, the more likely you were wealthy and powerful. Notice the few remaining marble seats in the center of the picture. These would have been for nobles and elites. The nose bleed seats were constructed of wood and were reserved for the poor and slaves.Photo: Jim Polito

This cross was placed in the Colosseum by Pope John Paul II in 2000 and dedicated to all Christian martyrs. Scholars and historians debate the number of Christians who were executed in the Colosseum. Most agree the number is much smaller than previous estimates as Christians were martyred is several locations. The site where the majority were killed was in the nearby Circus Maximus, a chariot racing arena.Photo: Jim Polito

Dr. Federico Pellegrini explains the numerous holes visible on the entire exterior of the Colosseum. These were chiseled out by Barbarians after Rome was sacked. They were seeking the valuable lead inside the joints that held the massive stone blocks together. The Colosseum would later be treated like a quarry for other construction projects by the descendants of ancient Romans.Photo: Jim Polito

The Colosseum is in a constant state of repair and preservation. It truly is a miracle that it still stands all these centuries later for us to experience.Photo: Jim Polito

I am proud to call Dr. Federico Pellegrini my friend and Cugino. Dr. Pellegrini is a world renowned expert of Italian art, history, and culture. He is one of the most sought after guides on the Italian peninsula.Photo: Kathleen Polito


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content