When it comes to history, there is always misinformation and rumors. After all, most of us were not around to experience it for ourselves. This is why it is always important to fact-check and explore research. Otherwise, you could be believing information that is simply not true.
For example, many common myths go around about the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. It has been dramatized in movies, and this is often the cause of misinformation. Indeed, it is a fascinating place with a rich history. But, you always want to ensure you are absorbing the right information. Today, we are going to dispel some of the common myths people believe about the Colosseum.
You Had to Pay for Tickets
Were you under the impression that people had to buy tickets to get into the Colosseum and enjoy the entertainment? This might be the case now as a tourist attraction. But, this did not happen in Ancient Rome. You have to remember that most people were poor. In fact, many were slaves. They would not have had the money to attend these events. Instead, the entertainment was free as a way to keep everyone happy and to stop revolting.
Therefore, this is a myth. The Colosseum was kept free. There were even raffles where you could win something, which was a way to keep people happy too. Now, you do have to pay for a ticket to get in. But, most people are willing to do this to experience history. In particular, there are expert guides at What a Life Tours that can take you around and tell you more real stories. This way, you can avoid more myths in the future.
Only Big Cats Were Used in Hunting
If you have ever seen a movie that has featured ancient Rome or the Colosseum, you have probably seen the hunting games involving big cats. We are talking about lions and tigers. Yes, these big cats were used in games at the amphitheater. But, they were not the only animals that were used. There was a wide variety, which kept things interesting.
So, what were all the animals used for entertainment? Well, where do we begin? There are records that show big animals such as rhinos, hippos and elephants. Then, there were also deer, horses, gazelles and hyenas. So, there was a huge range of animals used, often from North Africa, South Egypt and European countries. This created a mixture of animals to hunt and spice things up. It is thought that over 1 million animals died through all of the games held at the Colosseum.
Women Did Not Fight in the Colosseum
Often, it is assumed that men were the only gladiators in the Colosseum. Indeed, they generally dominated the fights, and most gladiators were men. But, this was not an exclusive rule at first. In fact, it has been found that several women fought in the Arena and in front of crowds. So, they did exist and while they were rare, you might have been lucky to see the fight at the time.
It is interesting to note that women were banned from participating in games later on. Emperor Septimius Severus put a stop to this in 200 A.D. So, this is where this myth might have started. People assumed that because they were banned after this that they did not fight in battles before. But, you now know that this is not true.
Games Happened All the Time
Gladiator fights have become synonymous with ancient Rome. But, people have got the wrong impression and believe that these games happened every day. This was not the case and they were organized spectacles. Think about huge sports events in the modern age. They are advertized and the anticipation for the big day arrives. Even if you are talking about a tournament like the FIFA World Cup, there may be plenty of games, but they only happen for a specified period of time.
Therefore, gladiator battles did not happen every day. There were pre-arranged and there might have been special occasions where this was the case. But, it was not something that was part of normal life. This is why they were often popular; because they did not happen all the time.
The Amphitheater is Very Haunted
Now, we are saying this next story is a myth. But, there might be some of you that disagree. This is particularly true if you believe in the spiritual world and ghosts. There are some visitors to the Colosseum that say the place is haunted. It is no secret that people and animals died here in the name of entertainment. So, many people believe many of them are still there today.
Most will say that this is just a myth. Millions visit the amphitheater every year and do not report any strange encounters. While there are a few stories of growling and footsteps, we say that this could be your mind playing tricks on you. The only way to find out for sure is to visit yourself.
