Jean-Léon Gérôme, Pollice Verso, 1872

Phoenix , Phoenix Art Museum, 1968.52

This image via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean-Leon_Gerome_Pollice_Verso.jpg

Its proper name is the Flavian Amphitheatre. Colosseum comes from its location: hard by the site of the Colossus of Nero – the former emperor whose complicated demise ushered in the era of the Flavians. 

There were just three Flavians: Vespasian, and his sons, Titus and Domitian. Across the three reigns, spanning nearly three decades, the Colosseum gradually took shape. Games had long been a part of the civic calendar, not just in Rome itself, but in many provincial towns. With the foundation of the Colosseum, however, the games became hardwired into the life of the capital like never before. We will follow the development of this Roman wonder, and explore the horrors as well as some unexpected delights which took place within its walls.

RJW F2516 Online (via Zoom)

A 5-hour short course, delivered via 2 x 2½-hour sessions on consecutive Saturdays (Saturday 7 & Saturday 14 June).

£40 (individual registration); £72 (for two people sharing one screen).