sufficiently to have boats have "sea" battles in front of its audiences.
I can believe most things regarding the ancient peoples, but not this one.
How about you?
2006-10-15 17:32:37 · 9 answers · asked by charly 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
Where did they park the ships when they were not in use?
Unless they had large entry ways, the ships must've been pretty small.
Keep trying, you might convince me yet...
2006-10-17 13:50:48 · update #1
Wikipedias' "hypogeum" definition pertains to "undergroiund"--not water.
The arena floor was probably no more than 30 meters long, (and wide); that is hardly enough room for ships to navigate and do battle, IMO.
I'm extending for 2 more days to get some other answers.
2006-10-18 07:36:29 · update #2
There was an excellent episode of Unsolved-History that talked about this very subject. It showed where the water source was, how the holes were plugged to begin the act of flooding, and discussed how a mock naval battle would play out. Ultimately, the thirst gladiator fights became much greater then that of that of the mock naval battles.
Mock naval battles were arranged by removing the heavy wooden flooring and flooding the lower cells, which usually housed the animals and prisoners. As gladiator fights proved to be more popular, the naval battles were ultimately moved to another site, and the wooden floors made permanent.
2006-10-15 18:00:19 · answer #1 · answered by joe_blancher 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Over 160 ft high with eighty entrances, the Coliseum could hold upwards of 50,000 spectators. Public events such as gladiator fights, mock naval battles and wild animal hunts were held at the Coliseum. During the staged fights as many as 10,000 people were killed. Fighters were slaves, prisoners or volunteers. Spectators saw persecuted Christians killed by lions. After 404 AD gladiatorial battles were no longer held, but animals such as lions, elephants, snakes and panthers continued to be massacred in the name of sport until the 6th century.
Mock naval battles were arranged by removing the heavy wooden flooring and flooding the lower cells, which usually housed the animals and prisoners. As gladiator fights proved to be more popular, the naval battles were ultimately moved to another site, and the wooden floors made permanent. During the middle ages, stones from the Coliseum were removed for new buildings.
From the fourth story of the Coliseum wooden masts supported a linen awning that protected spectators from the sun. The Coliseum boasted seats of marble for the upper class, and benches of wood for the lower. Ramps within the arena made movement easy by the large crowds, and on a catwalk suspended above, trained archers were watchful and would shoot to avert disaster when an enraged animal would get out of hand. A wall about 15 feet high separated the spectators from the bloody events in the arena.
Today, in Rome, the Coliseum is one of its most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Although it survives only as a ruin, it still rates as one of the finest examples of Roman architecture and engineering.
2006-10-16 00:45:08 · answer #2 · answered by green star 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds pretty cool and true.
Water goes into underground compartments that lead to the 'floor'. The compartments are tight, so when water is put in, it floods and overflows onto the floor of the colosseum.
Its brilliant thinking for an idea, and executed well.
You gotta remember, no expensive was spared on the games.
2006-10-16 01:47:56 · answer #3 · answered by holdon 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, this is true. The Romans where amazing people, particular when it came to construction. They used to hold whole mock navel battles inside it. The underground tunnels where not exposed at their time, and therefore they might not present a major problem.
2006-10-16 18:56:36 · answer #4 · answered by bobbworm42 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What size were the boats? If the boats were build on a smaller scale, it could be possible. Consider the difference in draft and the water displacement.
2006-10-23 21:35:04 · answer #5 · answered by dudette 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not,. The Romans were excellent hydraulic engineers. Had hydraulic pump technology. And contemporary accounts tell of sea battles being faught there, using boats.
Doc. Dan.
2006-10-16 00:40:14 · answer #6 · answered by Dan S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes there is a complete series of ducts and drains under the Colosseum
2006-10-16 00:44:05 · answer #7 · answered by Primus 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is not true. I have personally been to the Colessium, and I know for a fact that it isn't true. The water would only have gone into the underground tunnels.
2006-10-16 01:00:45 · answer #8 · answered by Narcissa Venus M 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
actually, it is true. there are many documented stories of such displays, as well as evidence...
2006-10-16 00:37:35 · answer #9 · answered by sunsic_swa 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋