What was the Colosseum used for?

Summary

Who Smarted? - Episode Summary: "What Was the Colosseum Used For?"

Release Date: March 17, 2025
Host/Creators: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media
Episode Focus: Exploring the multifaceted history and usage of the Roman Colosseum, including its construction, events held, and the lives of gladiators.

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Introduction to the Colosseum

The episode kicks off with Jerry Kolber, the co-creator and narrator of "Who Smarted?", introducing listeners to the grandeur of the Roman Colosseum. Utilizing a time-traveling app, Jerry transports himself to ancient Rome, where he observes the bustling activities within the iconic amphitheater.

• Jerry Kolber [00:02]:
  "Hey, smarty pants. Trusty narrator here. As you can hear, I'm in a stadium attending a pretty wild sporting event."

Jerry Teases the Colosseum's primary function, sparking curiosity about its real-life events.

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Life Inside the Colosseum

Jerry provides a vivid description of the Colosseum's impressive dimensions and structure, emphasizing its status as the largest amphitheater in the world during its time.

• Jerry Kolber [01:18]:
  "Yep, things got pretty hairy inside the Colosseum, which was pretty crazy in and of itself. For one thing, the colosseum is over two football fields long, 500ft wide and 16 stories high. It is the largest amphitheater in the world."

Emperor Domitian makes an appearance, providing historical context and engaging in humorous banter with Jerry.

• Emperor Domitian [04:04]:
  "How dare you insult me, pretending not to know the Emperor. Guards, take him away."

This interaction not only adds humor but also deepens the listener's understanding of Roman social hierarchy and the Emperor's authority.

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The Origin of the Colosseum's Name

A significant segment delves into how the Colosseum acquired its name, long after its construction.

• Jerry Kolber [04:59]:
  "To me, the Colosseum wouldn't be called the colosseum for almost 1000 years. Smartypants. How did the Colosseum get its name?"

Emperor Domitian explains that the name derives from the colossal statue of Emperor Nero, originally standing nearby.

• Emperor Domitian [05:20]:
  "Yes. The colossus was a 98 foot bronze statue of the former Emperor Nero, a vain man who loved celebrating himself."

This dialogue highlights the political maneuvers of Domitian's father, Vespasian, in reclaiming and repurposing Nero's legacy.

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Engineering Marvels: Construction of the Colosseum

The episode explores the remarkable engineering techniques employed by the Romans to construct the Colosseum swiftly.

• Jerry Kolber [07:53]:
  "He tore down the enormous palace Nero built for himself, drained Nero's man made lake, and built the Coliseum right smack on top of it."

Emperor Domitian reveals the secret behind the rapid construction: the use of giant cranes powered by innovative designs.

• Emperor Domitian [08:18]:
  "My engineers designed a giant crane out of massive tree trunks connected to what looks like a large hamster wheel."

This segment underscores the advanced engineering prowess of ancient Rome and the extensive use of slave labor in monumental projects.

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Daily Life and Hierarchy in the Colosseum

Listeners gain insight into the social stratification within the Colosseum, from the Emperor's privileged seating to the relegation of poorer citizens, women, and slaves to the upper tiers.

• Emperor Domitian [06:16]:
  "As Emperor, I have my own special box with the best view in the house. Surrounding me are the Roman senators, and above us, the regular Roman citizens."

This portrayal paints a clear picture of the societal hierarchy and the exclusivity of the upper classes in ancient Rome.

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Gladiators: Celebrities of Ancient Rome

The episode delves into the lives of gladiators, their training, and their status as early celebrities.

• Smartacus [10:01]:
  "I am Smartacus. Top ranked gladiator in the world."

Emperor Domitian elaborates on the rigorous training and harsh realities faced by gladiators, highlighting the existence of gladiator schools and the limited paths to becoming one.

• Smartacus [10:53]:
  "Not many people go into the gladiator business voluntarily. It's a rough life spent training, fighting and locked up in a dungeon cell."

The discussion also covers the various types of gladiators, such as the Dymacary, Essendary, and Retiari, each with unique fighting styles and equipment.

• Smartacus [11:25]:
  "There are different kinds of gladiators. You've got your Dymacary, who fight with two swords. Your Essendary, who fight from chariots, which are wheeled carts pulled by horses. And your Retiari, who fight with nets in a trident."

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Spectacles and Entertainment: Beyond Gladiatorial Fights

The Colosseum wasn't limited to gladiator battles; it also hosted bestiary events, where wild animals were pitted against humans or other animals for public amusement.

• Emperor Domitian [16:16]:
  "We hold as many wild animal hunts in the Colosseum as we do gladiator battles."

The podcast explains the logistics behind these events, including the use of the Hypogeum—an underground network of cages and elevators designed to introduce animals seamlessly into the arena.

• Jerry Kolber [16:36]:
  "Hey, smarty pants, how do you think the animals get from the hypogeum to the arena? Do they use the stairs, a ramp, or an elevator?"

• Emperor Domitian [17:02]:
  "We've got about 30 elevators under there, each big enough to hold two lions."

A dramatic twist occurs when the Colosseum is flooded to stage a Naumachia, a full-scale mock naval battle, showcasing the Romans' penchant for extravagant spectacles.

• Emperor Domitian [17:49]:
  "A naumachia is a recreation of a famous naval battle. And by recreation, I mean down to the last detail."

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Decline of the Colosseum's Spectacles

The episode concludes by addressing the reasons behind the cessation of such grand events in the Colosseum, attributing it to both the rise of Christianity and the prohibitive costs associated with maintaining these elaborate shows.

• Jerry Kolber [18:33]:
  "Why do you think the Romans stopped holding spectacles like this in the Colosseum? Some believe it's because the Roman emperor adopted Christianity and decided all of this violence was wrong. But really, it came down to money."

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Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Jerry wraps up the episode by reflecting on the brutal nature of the Colosseum's events and expressing a preference for less violent forms of entertainment in the future.

• Jerry Kolber [19:19]:
  "Actually, it's a little brutal for my tastes. I think I'll stick to baseball in the future."

He also extends gratitude to listeners and contributors, highlighting the collaborative effort behind producing an engaging and educational podcast episode.

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Notable Quotes:

• Emperor Domitian [04:04]:
  "...I pretty much run this place."

• Smartacus [11:25]:
  "There are different kinds of gladiators...some have specialties."

• Emperor Domitian [17:02]:
  "This lifts the elevator up to a trapdoor, allowing the animals to appear in the arena like magic."

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Key Takeaways:

• The Roman Colosseum was a monumental amphitheater used for gladiatorial combats, animal hunts, and elaborate mock naval battles.
• Its construction was a feat of engineering, completed in eight years with the help of thousands of slaves and innovative machinery.
• Gladiators were both slaves and celebrities, enduring harsh training regimes for public entertainment.
• The Colosseum's name originated from a massive statue of Emperor Nero, and it wasn't called the Colosseum during its initial years.
• The decline of such spectacles was influenced by economic factors and shifting religious and cultural values.

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"Who Smarted?" successfully blends humor and historical facts, making complex subjects accessible and entertaining for young audiences and their families. This episode offers a comprehensive look into the multifaceted role of the Colosseum in ancient Rome, ensuring listeners are both educated and entertained.

Transcript

[Jerry Kolber]

Hey, smarty pants. Trusty narrator here. As you can hear, I'm in a stadium attending a pretty wild sporting event. Nope, it's not baseball or football or soccer.

[Emperor Domitian]

Goal.

[Jerry Kolber]

Here's a hint. I used my time traveling app to go back to ancient Rome, and now I'm sitting in what's considered the most famous arena in all of world history, watching things like this. And this. And even this. Any guess what this arena is called? Did you say the Roman Colosseum? That's right, smarty pants. Great job. If you got it now, you may have heard about the Colosseum or even seen it in a movie. Maybe you've even visited it. But for those who haven't, the Roman Colosseum is where they held something called gladiator fights.

[Emperor Domitian]

100 bucks on the guy with the cool scar.

[Jerry Kolber]

100 bucks on the guy with the cool mask. 100 bucks on the lion.

[Smartacus]

Woohoo.

[Emperor Domitian]

Pay up, boys.

[Jerry Kolber]

Yep, things got pretty hairy inside the Colosseum, which was pretty crazy in and of itself. For one thing, the colosseum is over two football fields long, 500ft wide and 16 stories high. It is the largest amphitheater in the world.

[Emperor Domitian]

Whoa.

[Jerry Kolber]

An amphitheater, by the way, is an open air arena used for watching sports, entertainment or performances. In short, the Colosseum is colossal. But how was the Colosseum built? What events took place there? And what was it like to be a gladiator? It's time for another whiff of science and history. On who smarted?

[Emperor Domitian]

Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science? Or history? Listen up everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. On who's smarted.

[Jerry Kolber]

Hey there, smarty pants. Parents, you love Whosmarted because it makes learning fun for your kids. But what about your brain? I'm Jerry Kolber, the co creator of Whosmarted and yes, your very own trusty narrator. And I've got something just for you. It's called the Daily brain. A quick 10 minute podcast designed to help you think, sharper, stress less, and boost your brain power with simple science backed exercises. From problem solving hacks to memory tricks and focus boosters, the Daily Brain is like a mini workout for your mind. No heavy lifting required. So after Whosmarted, treat yourself to some brain boosting fun. Listen to the Daily Brain wherever you get your podcasts. Wow, the Colosseum is so big it's hard to find my seat. Hey, maybe that guy in the cool purple toga knows. Excuse me, do you know where I can find seat Lviix.

[Emperor Domitian]

What citizen dares address the Emperor directly? Do you want to be thrown into the arena to fight lions and gladiators?

[Jerry Kolber]

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. I'm just here to spectate. I'm the trusty narrator. I host a podcast called who Smarted?

[Emperor Domitian]

Who Smarted? Take him to the dungeon. He fights tomorrow.

[Jerry Kolber]

Uh oh, I better get back to the future, smarty pants.

[Emperor Domitian]

Wait, did you say you're from the future?

[Jerry Kolber]

Yes, I'm here to teach the smarty pants about the Colosseum.

[Emperor Domitian]

I see. Release trusty future man. Come sit beside me as my guest. Let me teach you about my Colosseum.

[Jerry Kolber]

And you are?

[Emperor Domitian]

How dare you insult me, pretending not to know the Emperor. Guards, take him away.

[Jerry Kolber]

Wait, wait, wait. I wanted to introduce you to the smarty pants.

[Emperor Domitian]

Oh, leave him be. I am the great Roman emperor Domitian. I pretty much run this place. Oh, and let me point out, it's not called the Colosseum because of its colossal size. In fact, we romans here in 80 ACE don't even call it the Colosseum.

[Jerry Kolber]

What do you call it?

[Emperor Domitian]

Simply the Amphitheater. Why, it's the largest and most magnificent amphitheater ever built. If you say I'm going to the amphitheater, pretty much everyone knows which one you're talking about. Some call it the Flavian Amphitheater after my family, the Flavians. But I know they're just kissing up.

[Jerry Kolber]

To me, the Colosseum wouldn't be called the colosseum for almost 1000 years. Smartypants. How did the Colosseum get its name? Is it A, because of a statue, B because of a fish, or C because if you like gladiators, it's where you'd go to see em. The answer is A, a statue?

[Emperor Domitian]

Yes. The colossus was a 98 foot bronze statue of the former Emperor Nero, a vain man who loved celebrating himself. But my father, Vespasian got him back good.

[Jerry Kolber]

How?

[Emperor Domitian]

He tore down the enormous palace Nero built for himself, drained Nero's man made lake, and built the Coliseum right smack on top of it. His most genius move was turning all the canals used to drain the lake into sewer pipes which haul away all the waste made by the 80,000 fans in the Colosseum's bathrooms.

[Jerry Kolber]

That's a lot of smarting.

[Emperor Domitian]

The Colossus statue remained standing outside, so the amphitheater became known as the Colosseum.

[Jerry Kolber]

I notice you have great seats.

[Emperor Domitian]

As Emperor, I have my own special box with the best view in the house. Surrounding me are the Roman senators, and above us, the regular Roman citizens. The richer you are, the lower your seat, the poorest people sit way up in the nosebleeds, along with the women and slaves.

[Jerry Kolber]

Yeah, ancient Rome wasn't the most progressive place.

[Emperor Domitian]

Quiet. Two gladiators are about to fight to the death for my amusement.

[Jerry Kolber]

See what I mean? Speaking of seeing, while you have a great view of the arena floor, everyone else here has a great view of you.

[Emperor Domitian]

That's by design, future man. You see, after a gladiatorial battle, I'll ask the audience if they thought the losing gladiator fought bravely enough to warrant living to fight another day. If it's a no, I give thumbs up. And that gladiator is. But if it's a yes, I'll give a thumbs down, which tells the fighters to lay down their swords.

[Jerry Kolber]

Ah, so thumbs down is actually good news for the gladiators. Most movies have that backwards.

[Emperor Domitian]

Movies?

[Jerry Kolber]

It's a future thing.

[Emperor Domitian]

Hmm. You must tell me more about Rome in the future. I'm sure the Roman Empire is still going strong.

[Jerry Kolber]

Um, well, back to the Colosseum. This place is huge. How did you build it?

[Emperor Domitian]

It wasn't easy. You know the saying, Rome wasn't built in a day? Well, neither was the Colosseum. Guess how long it took, smarty pants?

[Jerry Kolber]

Was it 8 years, 18 years? Or 28 years?

[Emperor Domitian]

We built it in just 8 years. Of course, our Roman engineers had the help of 100,000 slaves and a secret weapon.

[Jerry Kolber]

Smarty pants. What was the secret weapon that helped them build the Coliseum so fast? Was it A, elephants? B, giant cranes? Or C, an IKEA instruction manual? If you said B cranes, you're right.

[Emperor Domitian]

My engineers designed a giant crane out of massive tree trunks connected to what looks like a large hamster wheel. When a bunch of workers walk inside the wheel, the crane's ropes can lift enormous weights, like all the 50 ton stones that make up the walls of the Colosseum.

[Jerry Kolber]

Cool.

[Emperor Domitian]

Speaking of cool, how do you like our Velarium?

[Jerry Kolber]

Your what?

[Emperor Domitian]

Valerium. The awning you see around the top of the Colosseum that shades us from the blazing Roman sun. It also keeps out the rain on stormy days. Believe it or not, it's totally retractable. Oh.

[Jerry Kolber]

So the Colosseum is basically the world's first domed stadium.

[Emperor Domitian]

Whatever that means. What I can say is, because our awning is sloped downward, it catches the wind and gives spectators a nice breeze. We use 100 specially trained sailors from our Imperial Navy to operate it.

[Jerry Kolber]

Wow.

[Smartacus]

It don't matter how pretty the stadium is if you can't put on a great show.

[Jerry Kolber]

Yikes. Who are you?

[Smartacus]

I am Smartacus. Top ranked gladiator in the world. Ah.

[Emperor Domitian]

Smarticus has provided me and Rome much entertainment over the years. Like most gladiators who've lasted as long as he has, he's become somewhat of a celebrity. Of course, most gladiators don't last very long. Some don't even make it out of gladiator school.

[Jerry Kolber]

Wait, there are schools that teach gladiating? Yep.

[Smartacus]

The largest one is just outside the Coliseum and is connected by an underground tunnel. Not just anyone can become a gladiator, you know. It takes years of training. It also helps to be good looking. People love paying to see a handsome gladiator.

[Jerry Kolber]

Wow, they really are like movie stars. Smartypants. Who was most likely to become a gladiator? Was it A, the sons of Roman senators, B, prisoners of war and condemned criminals, Or C highly decorated army soldiers? The answer is B, not many people go into the gladiator business voluntarily. It's a rough life spent training, fighting and locked up in a dungeon cell. Like I said, not progressive.

[Emperor Domitian]

Hey, at least we have toilets.

[Smartacus]

What most people don't realize is there's different kinds of gladiators. You've got your Dymacary, who fight with two swords. Your Essendary, who fight from chariots, which are wheeled carts pulled by horses. And your Retiari, who fight with nets in a trident.

[Jerry Kolber]

A trident is a spear with three prongs, like what King Triton holds in the Little Mermaid.

[Smartacus]

Some gladiators have specialties. For example, the Andabetae wear helmets without eye holes and have to fight blind.

[Jerry Kolber]

Did I get him?

[Smartacus]

While the Preganari are just there for laughs, they're professional comic gladiators who fight with harmless wooden swords.

[Emperor Domitian]

And then there are the bestiary. You ask me, they're the bravest of them all. Their particular skill is coming up right.

[Jerry Kolber]

After this quick break. This episode is brought to you by ixl. As someone who's constantly balancing work and life, I. I know how tough it can be to make sure kids get the academic support they need, whether they're homeschooled or in a traditional classroom. That's why IXL has been a lifesaver. It's an online learning program that covers math, language arts, science and social studies with interactive practice problems, games and video tutorials. Plus, it makes learning fun, just like WhoSmarted. For homeschool parents, Iexcel is the perfect supplement to your curriculum, giving kids personalized learning at their own pace. And for parents of traditional school kids, it is a great way to reinforce what they're learning in class, whether they need extra help or are just looking for a challenge. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL today. Podcast listeners get an exclusive 20% off when you sign up at ixl.com smartit Visit ixl.com smartidnow to give your child the best learning support available. IXL where learning clicks this episode is brought to you by Squarespace Smartypants. It's quiz time. If you wanted to start a business, share your ideas with the world, or finally launch your site about history's weirdest inventions, what is the smartest way to do it? Is it a shouting your message from the top of a volcano? B training an army of synchronized skywriting parrots, or c Building a sleek professional website with Squarespace. If you said C, congratulations, you win the Internet. With Squarespace's design intelligence, you can build a beautiful website in minutes. No coding, wizardry or secret handshake required. Want to sell stuff? Squarespace Payments lets you accept Apple Pay, Klarna, and even credit cards. And because social media runs the universe, Squarespace Sell seamlessly connects your site to Instagram, YouTube, and more, so your fans or future customers can easily find you. Start your free trial [e-mail] smarted and when you are ready to launch, use code smarted to save 10% on your first website or domain. Now who's ready to make history? Hey smarty parents. I love Green Chef because of how absolutely easy the meals are to make and how every night it feels like we're eating at a restaurant right at home. Variety is excellent and includes meals for special diets like keto, gluten free and calorie Smart with pre portioned ingredients, there's less prep, less mess and more time to enjoy delicious meals. Green Chef's easy to follow directions means my kitchen phobic family members actually cook when we get our Green Chef kit, and it's a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen too. Plus, Green Chef is owned by HelloFresh, which lets me switch between the brands for even more variety. And now my listeners can enjoy both at a discount with me. Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green chef. Go to greenchef.com smartedfree and use code smarted free to get free salads for two months plus 50% off your first box. That's greenchef.com smarted free and use code smarted free to get free salads for two months plus 50 percent off your first box. Green Chef, the number one meal kit for eating. Well. Now back to who smarted? We're learning about gladiators, and particularly the bestiary, who fight against wild animals.

[Emperor Domitian]

We hold as many wild animal hunts in the Colosseum as we do gladiator battles. Your typical Roman has never seen a wild animal, so lions, tigers, bears, elephants, ostriches and rhinos really pack them in.

[Jerry Kolber]

Whoa. Where'd all those lions come from? They weren't here a second ago.

[Emperor Domitian]

Nope. They were in the Hypogeum. Beneath the arena floor is a basement filled with cages. It's like a zoo down there. Literally.

[Jerry Kolber]

Hey, smarty pants, how do you think the animals get from the hypogeum to the arena? Do they use the stairs, a ramp, or an elevator? Well, obviously they don't use an elevator. Wait, they do.

[Emperor Domitian]

We've got about 30 elevators under there, each big enough to hold two lions. A bunch of really strong men push a wheel called a capstan that's connected to ropes and pulleys. This lifts the elevator up to a trapdoor, allowing the animals to appear in the arena like magic. Trust me, the crowd loves it.

[Jerry Kolber]

Ew.

[Emperor Domitian]

It's time for the main event. You're on, Smoterkus. You're on.

[Smartacus]

I shall return.

[Jerry Kolber]

Um, Emperor, the Colosseum is flooding. Should we run?

[Emperor Domitian]

Relax. Narrator. I'm guessing this is your first Naumachia.

[Jerry Kolber]

Um, it's my first everything. What is a Naumachia?

[Emperor Domitian]

A naumachia is a recreation of a famous naval battle. And by recreation, I mean down to the last detail. Today's battle involves 50 ships and 10,000 combatants. Just like the real deal.

[Jerry Kolber]

Ooh. How are you able to flood the Colosseum so fast?

[Emperor Domitian]

You've no doubt heard of the famous Roman aqueducts, right? They're stone bridges that carry thousands of gallons of water into Rome from mountain lakes miles away. Well, we built a connection to one of those aqueducts, and voila. Instant ocean. Dear narrator, you are witnessing the future of entertainment.

[Jerry Kolber]

Um, I hate to be a spoilsport, Emperor, but this all comes to a screeching halt around 435 cell. Smarty pants, why do you think the Romans stopped holding spectacles like this in the Colosseum? Some believe it's because the Roman emperor adopted Christianity and decided all of this violence was wrong. But really, it came down to money. It turns out that training gladiators, rounding up exotic animals, and maintaining a crumbling architectural marvel really adds up.

[Emperor Domitian]

I'm afraid to look at my water bill after this naval battle I won.

[Smartacus]

Ha ha. Were you not entertained?

[Jerry Kolber]

Actually, it's a little brutal for my tastes. I think I'll stick to baseball in the future. A big old shout out to my smarty friend Kingston in North Potomac. Mary, thanks for writing in to let me know how much you love learning about cool things every day. Now that's what we call being a world class smarty pants. Thanks for listening. This episode the Roman Colosseum was written by Steve Maximus Melcher and voiced by Adam Dungeon Davis, Chris Colossus Okawa, Max Cherriot Kamasky, Kim Dagger Davis and Jerry Culver. Technical direction and sound designed by Josh Helmut Hahn who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room Studios. Our associate producer is Max Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Sandal Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.