THE COLOSSEUM OF HOME. 153 



according to their respective ranks; and, indeed, it appears, from incrip- 

 tions, as well as from expressions in Roman writers, that many of the 

 places in this immense theatre were assigned to particular individuals, 

 that each might find his seat without confusion. 



The ground was excavacated over the surface of the arena in 1813; a 

 great number of substructions were then discovered, which, by some 

 antiquaries, are considered to be of modern date, and by others to have 

 formed dens for the various beasts that were exhibited. 



The descriptions which have reached us from historians and other 

 writers, of the variety and extent of the shows, would induce the belief 

 that vast space and ample conveniences were required beneath the stage 

 to accomplish the wonders which were doubtless there realized in the 

 presence of assembled Rome. 



Gibbon, in his twelfth book, has given a splendid description of the 

 sports of the Circus, and has well observed, " While the populace gazed 

 with stupid wonder on the splendid show, the Naturalist might, indeed, 

 observe the figure and properties of so many different species, transported 

 from every part of the ancient world into the amphitheatre of Rome. 

 But this accidental benefit, which science might derive from folly, is 

 surely not sufficient to justify such a wanton abuse of the public riches.'' 

 Upon this a modern writer has added, " The prodigal waste of the public 

 riches, however, was not the weightiest evil of the sports of the Circus ; 

 the public morality was sacrificed upou the same shrine as its wealth. 

 The destruction of beasts became a tit preparation for the destruction of 

 man." 



A small number of these unhappy persons, who engaged to fight with 

 the wild animals in the arena, were trained to these dangerous exercises, 

 as are the Matadors of Spain of the present day. These men were 

 accustomed to exhaust the courage of the beast by false attacks ; to 

 spring on a sudden past him, striking him behind ere he could recover 

 his guard ; to cast a cloak over his eyes, and then dispatch or bind him 

 at this critical moment of his terror ; or to throw a cup full of some 

 chemical preparation into his gaping mouth, so as to produce the 

 stupefaction of intense agony. But the greater part of the human beings 

 who were exposed to these combats, perilous even to the most skilful, 

 were disobedient slaves and convicted malefactors. 



The imperial edicts against the early Christians, furnished more 

 stimulating exhibitions to the popular appetite for blood, than the combat 

 of lion with lion or gladiator against gladiator. The people were taught 

 to believe that they were assisting at a solemn act of justice, and they 



