ROME, Italy — The din of caged animals, the smell of
gladiators' fear and the thunder of tens of thousands of cheering spectators
above have all evaporated with the passage of time.
اضافة اعلان
But walking through the bowels of the Colosseum, the
subterranean ruins of
ancient Rome's most famous amphitheater, the extent to
which technical expertise was harnessed to such bloody ends becomes painfully
clear.
The reopening to the public was announced Friday after
meticulous restoration of the "hypogeum", or below ground area, with
a new pathway offering intimate views and an app explaining the grisly details
of the behind-the-scenes area.
"It was dark, smelly. There were terrible conditions
for the slaves and animals," said guide "Cristina", showing
journalists through the underground.
Once covered by a wooden floor, the maze of dark corridors
and chambers served as the amphitheater’s backstage — and the last holding
space for men and beasts who were released above to meet their fate.
"Let's imagine that from the darkness, suddenly they
emerged," Cristina said.
"Imagine the terrible noise that came from the
arena."
Monument inside monument
Sponsored by Italian luxury shoe group Tod's, the
restoration, begun in 2018, involved 81 archaeologists, engineers and others
working to clean and reinforce the walls within the hypogeum, which
stretches over half a hectare.
"We finally are returning to the public this monument
within the monument," site director Alfonsina Russo told reporters.
Tod's chairman Diego della Valle pledged 25 million euros
($30 million) in 2011 for the entire restoration of the Flavian Amphitheatre,
the Colosseum's real name.
Yet to be constructed is a welcome center at the UNESCO
site, which received seven million visitors a year before the coronavirus
pandemic.
Alive or dead
The Colosseum was first completed in 80 AD and the hypogeum
constructed under Emperor Domitian.
The site was last used in 523 AD and the hypogeum was
gradually covered by rubble until being dug out in the 19th century.
The labyrinthian system of passageways and chambers were key
to the spectacles above ground, whether gladiator fights, hunts with wild
African animals, or public executions.
An imposing eastern tunnel led to a gladiator training camp,
which included a hospital and morgue.
Animals also entered the amphitheater via the tunnel before
being caged.
Visible on the herringbone brick floors of the 15 tunnels
are holes cut into travertine and lined with bronze, the bases for
massive winches to hoist up cages, set scenery, or platforms holding
gladiators.
It required eight slaves to spin each winch.
Approaching the level of the amphitheater, the cage doors
would open, thrusting the hungry, disoriented beasts into the arena.
Despite the importance of the Colosseum's sub-structure, it
will soon be covered under a controversial decision to build a new floor.
Last month, Italian engineering firm Milan Ingegneria won
the contract for a 18.5 million euro design, featuring wooden slats that will
open and close allowing for a glimpse into the hypogeum beneath.
The project is due to be finished in 2023.
Read more
Lifestyle
.jpg)
.jpg)
