Pompey’s Great Colosseum
Ancient Rome was situated at the centre of the Mediterranean, a hub of culture and civilisation that drew people from all over the world. One of the mightiest structures to have ever graced the ancient world was the Colosseum – known as the Flavian Amphitheatre.
Built in 70 AD by the Emperor Vespasian, the Colosseum was commissioned with the intention of providing citizens of Rome with a permanent venue for gladiatorial events and spectacles, such as plays, executions and hunts. It could accommodate up to 80,000 people who came to watch gruesome bloody fights that often ended in a violent death for the loser.
The Colosseum was a free-standing building – remarkable for its ingenious engineering – made of four levels of travertine stone with a core of concrete and covered with tufa blocks. In its main fighting area, known as the arena, two gladiators would battle it out. Armed with shields, swords, lances and javelins, they would fight each other to the death – cheered on by the thousands of onlookers in the stands.
The atmosphere was electric; the winners would be adorned with lavish prizes by their emperor while the losers would be met with the public’s jeers and protests. With up to 200 days of non-stop entertainment in a single year, the Colosseum was the epicentre of popular sport and entertainment in Rome.
Alongside gladiatorial combats, the Colosseum also provided a venue for public spectacles. One of the most popular was the re-enactment of naval battles, usually in memory of past victories or wars. The venue would be flooded with water and filled with scaled down ships bobbing on the surface, as mock naval skirmishes were staged – with thousands of people watching from the stands.
The iconic Colosseum proved popular for centuries and would remain a structure of great cultural importance for many years. It was a fitting metaphor for the greatness of the Roman Empire and its dominance over the known world. However, the Colosseum eventually fell into disrepair and was destroyed by fire in the 4th century AD.
Roman Wrestling Events
Whilst the Colosseum is remembered largely for its gladiatorial combats, it was also the setting for major Roman wrestling events which took place throughout many centuries of the Roman era. Wrestling was immensely popular in Ancient Rome, and was one of the earliest forms of sport in the city.
The wrestling events would take place in the Colosseum and were closely watched by the crowds. It is believed that the standard of wrestling was especially high, and wrestling techniques were certainly more sophisticated than those practised in other parts of the world. This attracted the admiration of the spectators, and the best wrestlers were rewarded with lavish prizes and adulation from their audience.
The rules of Roman wrestling were simple and usually enforced by an authority figure known as the “umpire”. Fighters were expected to enter the ring wearing nothing more than a loincloth or a breechcloth, with their skin oiled up to allow them to better hug and grapple with each other. Strikes and kicks were strictly forbidden, and the winner was usually the one who managed to throw their opponent down onto the floor three times without being thrown themselves.
The wrestlers were split into two categories depending on their weight. The lightweight matches would take place in the morning and involve smaller and lighter men who were primarily focused on agility and technique, whilst the heavyweight matches were scheduled for later on in the day and took place between heavier men who could use their strength to their advantage. The atmosphere would reach fever pitch as the best heavyweights battled it out for victory.
Roman Wrestling Events in Other Venues
Whilst the Colosseum was certainly the main venue for the official Roman wrestling events, these wrestling bouts were not limited to the confines of the Colosseum. Roman wrestling bouts were also held in other public venues in the cities of Rome and its nearby provinces, as well as in private homes and villas.
The events were also seen at times of religious festivals and public gatherings, when the wrestlers would put on a show in front of the people to celebrate a particular occasion. These events, which included custom-made wrestling rings and seating areas, were a common sight throughout the city of Rome and its provinces.
In addition to public venues, there were also private wrestling schools established by wealthy Romans which served both as places to train wrestlers and as arenas for private wrestling matches. These schools were popular among upper-class Romans, who often followed and supported their favourite wrestlers.
Whether held in the Colosseum or in other venues, a Roman wrestling bout was a spectacle that always attracted a large crowd – whether from the general public or from more prestigious circles. It was certainly a far cry from the subdued, almost austere wrestling tournaments today – a reminder of what a dramatic and captivating event wrestling used to be.
Contemporary Wrestling Events in Rome
Modern day wrestling has its roots in the ancient art of Roman wrestling and is still hugely popular in Rome and other cities in Italy. Various forms of wrestling are practised in the cities, ranging from Greco-Roman wrestling to catch wrestling and other grappling-based martial arts.
In Rome, wrestling tournaments are still held all year round – many of which are open to the public. Hundreds of people come to see would-be wrestlers showcase their skills, with many of them hoping to break into the professional wrestling circuit. Professional wrestling tournaments usually draw some of the biggest crowds in the city, as fans come to see their favourite grapplers in action.
In addition, wrestling clubs are found in most parts of the city, and these offer classes for children and teenagers, as well as organised competitions for more experienced wrestlers. Many of these clubs are supported by the local authorities, and their members benefit from training and resources that were not available to Roman wrestlers.
Roman Wrestling: A Living Tradition
Roman wrestling remains an important part of Italy’s cultural identity, even today. This unique form of wrestling – marked by athleticism, technicality and strategy – has endured in the hearts and minds of Italians for thousands of years, and its influence can still be seen in modern wrestling tournaments.
The art of Roman wrestling is a living tradition, and it is with pride that many Italians – old and young alike – have passed down the teachings of their ancestors, carrying on their legacy and keeping the memory of Rome’s greatest warriors alive.
Gladiatorial Reenactments Today
In addition to Roman wrestling events, gladiatorial reenactments are still held in many cities of Italy today. Spectators from all over the world flock to these events to witness skilled combatants dressed in traditional gladiator armour and wielding swords, tridents and shields. These reenactments are a vivid reminder of the ferocity of the gladiatorial bouts once held in the Colosseum.
The show draws heavily from the traditional gladiator sport, with participants battling it out in the arena in a series of bouts overseen by a referee. The participants make use of a range of weapons and shields, and in some cases they even go as far as to adopt the persona of a Roman gladiator with full costume and make-up.
In recent years, interest in gladiator reenactment has increased significantly, with many people travelling from around the world to attend the shows. Whilst gladiator reenactment may never reach the same popularity as its Ancient Roman counterpart, it does provide a modern interpretation of the gladiatorial combats once held in the Colosseum.
Modern-Day Gladiator Schools
Modern gladiatorial reenactment has given rise to some truly unique activities, such as the gladiator schools which have been established in some cities of Italy. Here, visitors are invited to take part in the art of gladiatorial combat, learning the skills of sword-fighting, shield-bearing and combat strategy. They are also shown various gladiator weapons and armour, and they can even fight each other in a mock gladiatorial combat.
These schools often host events, where participants can compete against each other in full gladiator regalia, as well as workshops and classes in which they can hone their gladiator skills. Of course, the gladiator school experience isn’t as intense or dangerous as a real gladiatorial battle – participants are fully protected by heavy padding and helmets. Nevertheless, it is still an exciting and immersive experience, allowing people to feel the power of the gladiator.
Conclusion
The popularity of Roman wrestling and gladiatorial combats in Ancient Rome is a testament to their timeless appeal. These events, once held at the mighty Colosseum, are still fondly remembered by Italians today and continue to be remembered through modern-day reenactments and activities. Whether you’re a fan of wrestling or gladiators, a visit to Rome is sure to be an exciting experience.
