The Roman Colosseum: The story of the world's most famous stadium and its deadly games (Wonders of the World Book) [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Mann (Author), Michael Racz (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Wonders of the World Book

The Roman Colosseum was the work of a brilliant and energetic civilization. The Roman Colosseum was the work of a cruel and brutal civilization.

Both are true.

The Roman Colosseum was one of the most extraordinary buildings in the ancient world, a work of engineering genius whose design is imitated every time a modern stadium is built. Yet, what went on inside this building is difficult to comprehend.

Over the centuries, tens of thousands of slaves, prisoners of war, and criminals were slaughtered in the Colosseum for the entertainment of over 50,000 cheering fans. So many animals were destroyed in gruesome "hunts" staged in the arena that entire species disappeared from the Roman colonies of North Africa.

The Roman Colosseum interweaves the impressive story of the construction of this remarkable building and the sobering tale of the "games" that went on inside it. In doing so, it reveals an entire civilization in all its genius and its brutality.

Wonders of the World series

The winner of numerous awards, this series is renowned for Elizabeth Mann's ability to convey adventure and excitement while revealing technical information in engaging and easily understood language. The illustrations are lavishly realistic and accurate in detail but do not ignore the human element. Outstanding in the genre, these books are sure to bring even the most indifferent young reader into the worlds of history, geography, and architecture.

"One of the ten best non-fiction series for young readers."
- Booklist

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?A colorful, informative introduction to the structure and history of gladiatorial games. The useful text provides fascinating facts about architectural and building innovations utilized in the construction of this arena and an explanation of the ingenious ticketing and numbered entrances that were designed to control the flow of 50,000 spectators. Details about gladiator training, styles of fighting, and the use of wild animals reinforce the author's contention that the Colosseum is both a symbol of Rome's greatness and its brutality. A clear, well-written text and full-color drawings and paintings graphically depict the events held there. Photographs of mosaics, relief carvings, and the site are also included. Richard Watkins's Gladiator (Houghton, 1997) offers more details about the games, the participants, and their social standing in Roman society and Don Nardo's The Roman Colosseum (Lucent, 1998) is hard to beat if additional background on the design and construction of the arena is needed.?Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, OR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Like others in the Wonders of the World Series, this has a picture book style and look but is packed with history. (Booklist )

A colorful, informative introduction to the structure and history of the gladiatorial games. (School Library Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Mikaya Press (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965049337
• ISBN-13: 978-0965049337
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #330,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #82 in Books > Children's Books > History > Europe

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and Riveting!, January 11, 2012

By 

Will Riddle "and Jaime Riddle" (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Roman Colosseum: The story of the world's most famous stadium and its deadly games (Wonders of the World Book) (Paperback)

I admit I wasn't expecting much when we bought this book for my third grader studying Ancient Rome. I thought it would simply be a book on the history or science of building the Colosseum. I was wrong!

Elizabeth Mann delves into the history of Rome surrounding the gladiatorial games and politics of the Emperors. There is quite a bit of text on each page, around 2nd to 4th grade level. The illustrations are big, bold, and accompany each text selection. There is some science of the building, but how each Emperor saw and used the games is more of a focus.

At first I was a little surprised at the amount of warlikeness covered. She doesn't get too gritty in her explanation of the gladiators, but the brutality of Roman culture is adequately explored. For example, "In wartime, blood was provided for the souls of comrades killed in battle by forcing captured enemy soldiers to fight to the death." And, "As corpses were dragged out through the Gate of the Dead at the eastern end of the arena...slaves raked fresh sand over the blood-soaked arena floor." Needless to say, this might not be a hit with many little girls. But the book is much more than that, so it's not a dealbreaker.

I was also a little concerned that Mann would avoid taking a moral stance on the subject, but near the end of the book, she begins (gently) to offer her condemnation of the way gladiators and slaves were treated. She ends with the martyrdom of Telemachus and the outlawing of gladiatorial games due to growing Christian influence within the Empire--a brave inclusion. The text is otherwise non-judgmental and shows proper awe and respect of the Romans. Lots of vocabulary words too! But I was glad the children did not come away with some naive acceptance of Nero and other ruthless emperors. They started to grasp the politics of Roman government and the context of the extraordinary Colosseum... more than other books we've had on Rome and more than I expected!

9 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!, May 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Roman Colosseum: The story of the world's most famous stadium and its deadly games (Wonders of the World Book) (Hardcover)

If you are into the history of the Colosseum or aren't you willbe now! This book features excellent quoatations and vividdescriptions of every little aspect you could think of about the Colloseum. But it could have used some more pictures. The author paints a world with excellent detail right down to the size of there shields! Believe me, at first I thought I wouldn't be interested in barbariens fighting but after reading this I needed more! It also tells about the marvelous chariot races and the foreign animals. This book is worth every cent that you pay for it!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Expecting more, March 10, 2011

By 

Gary Hinson - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Roman Colosseum: The story of the world's most famous stadium and its deadly games (Wonders of the World Book) (Paperback)

I was disappointed that the book was more of a children's book.
It did give some good information.