36 WILD .ANIMALS. 



epithet of colossal.* It was a building of an elliptic figure, 564 

 feet in length, and 467 feet in breadth, founded on fourscore arches, 

 and rising, with four successive orders of architecture, to the 

 height of 140 feet. The outside of the edifice was encrusted 

 with marble, and decorated with statues. The slopes of the vast 

 concave which formed the inside were filled and surrounded with 

 sixty or eighty rows of seats, of marble likewise, covered with 

 cushions, and capable of receiving with ease about fourscore 

 thousand spectators. Sixty-four vomitories (for by that name 

 the doors were very aptly distinguished) poured forth the 

 immense multitude; and the entrances, passages, and stair- 

 cases were contrived with such exquisite skill, that each person, 

 whether of the senatorial, equestrian, or the plebeian order, arrived 

 at his destined place without trouble or confusion. Nothing was 

 omitted which in any respect could be subservient to the pleasure 

 of the spectators. They were protected from the sun and rain by 

 an ample canopy, occasionally drawn over their heads. The air 

 was continually refreshed by the playing of fountains, and pro- 

 fusely impregnated by the grateful scent of aromatics 



In the decoration of these scenes the Eoman emperors displayed 

 their wealth and liberality ; and we read on various occasions that 

 the whole Eurniture of the amphitheatre consisted either of silver, 

 or of gold, or of amber .... the nets designed as a defence 

 ' against the wild beasts were of gold wire, that the porticoes were 

 gilded, and that the belt, or circle, which divided the several ranks 

 of spectators from each other, was studded with a precious mosaic 

 of beautiful stones." 



It is stated, on the authority of Livy, that Cornelius Scipio 

 Nasica and 0. Lentulus (consuls of Kome, B.C. 191) were the 

 first who introduced combats between beasts and armed men; 

 and the first of these bloody battles that the Eomans so delighted 

 in took place between sixty-three lions, forty bears, and a number 

 of elephants. Scylla (consul B.C. 89) had one hundred lions, with 

 some men who were accustomed to fight them, sent him by 

 Bocchus, King of Mauritania, and the Romans were gratified by 

 the splendid shows that ensued. 



* The Coliseum built a.d. 69. 



