Paige's+Rome+Exhibit

In ancient Roman society, wealthy families enjoyed a comfortable life, whereas poor citizens and slaves fought to overcome daily struggles. The luxurious life of wealthy families began inside the home. Families hosted expensive feasts at their spacious villas set in the rural sections of Rome. Occasionally, exotic courses like flamingo were served during the feasts. The meals were accompanied by professional dancers, poets, and musicians. Poor citizens did not enjoy the same luxuries rich Romans did because they depended on little or no income to survive. As a result, most victims of poverty lived in wooden shacks or in apartments lacking toilets and proper kitchens. Because the homes of poor Romans were constructed of wood, there was the recurrent fear of fire striking the neighborhood. Life for Roman slaves was similar to that of the poor Romans. Most were not paid for their labor. Fortunate Roman slaves worked the households of wealthy families. Although many slaves dreaded possibly working on farms or in dangerous mines, perhaps the most dreaded job was to be a gladiator. **Courage in the Colosseum**
 * When in Rome, Do What the Romans Do **

You are hit by a sudden wave of screams as you hand your ticket to the guard at the entrance of the Colosseum in the ancient city of Rome. This ticket is important, for it determines your seat, according to your gender and social class. After you take your seat, a stray cat pokes it head out at you from underneath your chair. After only ten minutes, almost 500,000 Roman spectators are situated in their seats and the day’s events begin. The crowd croons over the exotic animals displayed in the center of the arena. Later, you and the other spectators are forced to watch the execution of a criminal. Fortunately, the sanded ground quickly soaks the blood afterwards. After a short lunch, the main event of the day begins. Harsh yet nervous gladiators with cruel weapons emerge from below the Colosseum floor. You watch fearfully as they bow to the emperor then begin to battle. These brutal fights were provided for the recreation of the 500,000 Roman spectators, but the gladiators risked their lives as they fought to survive. The 160 foot tall Colosseum stands today as a symbol of ancient Roman recreation. This tremendous artifact was built in eight years by craftsmen and slaves. The Colosseum is four levels high, decorated with windows, columns and arches. Rooms existed beneath the Colosseum floor where the gladiators and animals were kept before battle. Both humans and animals fought in the Colosseum battles. Most gladiators were current or former slaves. Animals originally intended to be butchered were sent to Rome to battle to the death at the Colosseum. No matter what social class a Roman belonged to, everyone packed the vast Colosseum to witness the cruel events they perceived as entertaining. **Cats Litter the Colosseum**

A stray cat “litters” every nook and cranny of modern Rome. Tourists report spotting stray cats in shrines and even behind restaurants. One time, a group of nineteen cats roamed the Colosseum, then died of poison given to them by a human. Rome has accumulated so many stray cats over the years that Torre Argentina, a ground for abandoning cats, has been established. Torre Argentina receives up to 700 cats a year. Works Cited 1. Bishop, Darlene. "Ancient Rome- Colosseum." //SIRS Discoverer//. 2011. Web. 11 Feb. 2011. 2. Chargot, Patricia. //Cat at the Roman Colosseum//. 2006. Photograph. Rome, Italy. [] 3. Chargot, Patricia. "Cats in the Colosseum." //SIRS Discoverer//. 3 Jan. 2006. Web. 12 Feb. 2011. 4. Chargot, Patricia. "Rome's Famous Arena." //SIRS Discoverer//. 3 Jan. 2006. Web. 12 Feb. 2011. 5. Dunn, Jerry. "Stadium of Life and Death." //SIRS Discoverer//. Mar. 1998. Web. 12 Feb. 2011. 6. Walker, Jimmy. //Roman Colosseum With Moon//. 8/18/2002. Photograph. Jaymce Flickr Gallery, Rome, Italy.