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| Postcards from Rome |
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| The Colosseum |
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| Roman gladiators, slaves, prisoners of war and criminals were forced to fight men and animals to the death. At the inaugural games in AD 80, over 9,000 wild animals were killed. The Colosseum could hold up to 55,000 people, who were seated according to their rank. The arena floor covered a network of hoists and cages for wild animals. |