... the audience all had the same view of the centre. The lowest ringside seating (senators) was reserved for people of high social status, senators and other important people. Approximately 50,000 spectators could be seated in the Colosseum. The Colosseum had an enormous velarium (awning) over the top. This was an attractive feature of the Colosseum, because games would have lasted for a long time, under the glare of the sun. Elaborate spectacles were held comprised of beast fights, gladiator fights and many other forms of Roman entertainment. Magistrates or even the Emperor, as a way of attracting the public and winning their affection for elections and the like, held these games for days. The opening ceremonies of the Colosseum comprised of spectacles lasting for 100 days in which hundreds of beasts and 2000 gladiators were killed. This is probably because the public were easily persuaded by the games, as it ...

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