Flavian Amphitheater Essay

Throughout a large portion of the third century CE, the Flavian Amphitheater underwent reconstruction due to severe damage. In 217 CE, the structure was damaged severely by a fire that was caused by lightning. “The hunting theatre was struck by thunderbolts on the very day of the Vulcanalia [the 23rd of August], and such a blaze followed that its entire upper circuit and everything in the arena was consumed, and thereupon the rest of the structure was ravaged by the flames and reduced to ruins…. In consequence of this disaster the gladiatorial show was held in the stadium for many years.” Repairs began under Elagabalus who reigned from 218 to 222 CE and continued by Severus Alexander reigning from 222 to 235 CE. During this phase of reconstruction, …show more content…
Before a monument was dedicated and erected for public entertainment, these games inside the Flavian Amphitheater had their origins from Etruscan funerary celebrations. Two and a half centuries after the first duels in Rome, these games began to be held simply for entertainment value. Although, the common factor was still reputation. During the republic, games were hosted by aristocrats in hopes of winning over popular opinion to ensure these citizens votes. Holding spectacles in the Flavian Amphitheater aimed at keeping the plebs safely occupied and entertained, during the empire. This place of socio-cultural value was not going to last forever as following emperor’s put restriction after restriction of the games, even if not always followed. Especially after Emperor Constantine’s edict on not supplying gladiator schools with criminals for training and the constant wars against Germanic tribes in the fourth and fifth centuries CE. With no new gladiators and the constant financial strain of war, gladiatorial games became less frequent until dying out in the early fifth century CE along with animal hunts in the early sixth century