Colosseum

Colosseum

Overall we learnt quite a bit, but it was quite a mixed bag of generalisms and grandstanding by several historians who went way beyond the history. All emperors had access to use the Colosseum to advance there standing with the people of Rome, not true, the Colosseum typified Rome not true, circus Maximus was the main draw in Rome. Gladiators were trained slaves not wholly true many freedmen to fame and wealth and chose to be gladiators. The Colosseum was how slaves became freedmen, not true Romans free thousands of people each year and even married them.

Several episodes dragged terribly and just kept repeating the same stuff, the worst one was the Martyr.

Overall I liked it but the historians irritated, one man moved his hands matching every syllable, this is like a text message in capitals it shouts at you. For me this is a 6 outta 10, it could have been great but turned out pedestrian.

Occasionally interrupted by an interesting series. Each episode might be less than 30 minutes per hour. First and last thing I'll ever plod through on The History Channel.

Watching episode 4 out of 5 that has been realized so far and they have mentioned one "poet" of Rome as an actual historical source. Poetry generally isn't considered historical fact, especially when it is paid for by the emperor, a fact briefly mentioned once or twice. Oddly enough I can't seem to find any work by the poet they mentioned to read his work myself. They have "Roman historians" on never giving the details as to what makes them a Roman historian since clearly they didn't live through it details as to what degree and from where as well as any relevant experience they have would be nice, and well necessary according to my 6th grade English teacher and every teacher since in research papers. If they are going to present it as a historical factual documentary I expect enough information to be able to continue or further my research behind the short snips in the show and yet it feels more like a teaser based in rumors than a documentary.

Love the programme but would like to challenge the statement from Shelley P. Haley regarding how the Romans viewed the afterlife.

I believe she stated that was nothing only an underworld of darkness. This is simply not true. The Romans believed you were judged on your life. The underworld was the receptacle of all departed persons, of the good as well as the bad, it was divided into five parts: the first may be called the previous region; the second is the region of waters, or the river which they were all to pass; the third is what we may call the gloomy region, and what the ancients called Erebus; the fourth is Tartarus, or the region of torments; and the fifth the region of joy and bliss, or what we still call Elysium.

I would have thought that such an intelligent person would have known this.

This programme goes much deeper into the origins and history of the Colosseum than any other that I've seen about it.

The details of the construction are mind-boggling and the skill of the master builder behind it is remarkable. The programme also does a good job of placing the construction project in the timeline of the Roman imperial Flavian dynasty.

The dramatic scenes are well done too, with some good acting performances and effective special effects.

You'll certainly have a much better understanding of how the Colosseum was built and it's place in the reigns of Vespasian, Titus, Domitian and other emperors who followed them.