Byron and Hitler were equally entranced by Rome’s most famous monument, the Colosseum. Mid-Victorians admired the hundreds of varieties of flowers in its crannies and occasionally shuddered at its reputation for contagion, danger, and sexual temptation. Today it is the highlight of a tour of Italy for more than three million visitors a year, a concert arena for the likes of Paul McCartney, and a national symbol of opposition to the death penalty. Its ancient history is chock full of romantic but erroneous myths. There is no evidence that any gladiator ever said “Hail Caesar, those about to die...” and we know of not one single Christian martyr who met his finish here.
Yet the reality is much stranger than the legend as the authors, two prominent classical historians, explain in this absorbing account. We learn the details of how the arena was built and at what cost; we are introduced to the emperors who sometimes fought in gladiatorial games staged at the Colosseum; and we take measure of the audience who reveled in, or opposed, these games. The authors also trace the strange afterlife of the monument―as fortress, shrine of martyrs, church, and glue factory. Why are we so fascinated with this arena of death?
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Keith Hopkins (1934–2004) was Professor of Ancient History at the University of Cambridge. He also wrote A World Full of Gods.
Mary Beard has a Chair of Classics at Cambridge and is a Fellow of Newnham College. She is classics editor of The Times Literary Supplement and author of the blog “A Don’s Life.” She is also a winner of the 2008 Wolfson History Prize.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 3.99
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New! Not Overstocks or Low Quality Book Club Editions! Direct From the Publisher! We're not a giant, faceless warehouse organization! We're a small town bookstore that loves books and loves it's customers! Buy from Lakeside Books!. Seller Inventory # OTF-S-9780674060319
Book Description Paperback or Softback. Condition: New. The Colosseum 0.49. Book. Seller Inventory # BBS-9780674060319
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9780674060319
Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. 0.5. Seller Inventory # 0674060318-2-1
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published 0.5. Seller Inventory # 353-0674060318-new
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # ABLIING23Feb2416190096602
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # I-9780674060319
Book Description Softcover. Condition: new. Byron and Hitler were equally entranced by Romes most famous monument, the Colosseum. Mid-Victorians admired the hundreds of varieties of flowers in its crannies and occasionally shuddered at its reputation for contagion, danger, and sexual temptation. Today it is the highlight of a tour of Italy for more than three million visitors a year, a concert arena for the likes of Paul McCartney, and a national symbol of opposition to the death penalty. Its ancient history is chock full of romantic but erroneous myths. There is no evidence that any gladiator ever said Hail Caesar, those about to die and we know of not one single Christian martyr who met his finish here.Yet the reality is much stranger than the legend as the authors, two prominent classical historians, explain in this absorbing account. We learn the details of how the arena was built and at what cost; we are introduced to the emperors who sometimes fought in gladiatorial games staged at the Colosseum; and we take measure of the audience who reveled in, or opposed, these games. The authors also trace the strange afterlife of the monument-as fortress, shrine of martyrs, church, and glue factory. Why are we so fascinated with this arena of death?. Seller Inventory # DADAX0674060318
Book Description Condition: New. . Seller Inventory # 52GZZZ00JK8Z_ns
Book Description PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # IB-9780674060319