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There were many sacred buildings in Rome. Most still have some glorious details in them. The Romans spent years building these enormous arenas, coliseums, forums, and temples.
The Roman Coliseum
The Roman Coliseum was opened in AD 80 with 100 games. It was over 160 feet high with 80 entrances. The Romans held gladiator fights, mock battles, and animal hunts. 9000 animals died in the circular ring of death. The Roman crowds came to see blood and victory. Gladiators, among others fought in the Roman Coliseum. Gladiators who were put in were expected to die. Gladiators were usually prisoners of war, convicts, or slaves. The professionals gladiators were usually volunteers. The Romans never showed mercy by throwing in human beings to die to animals and gladiators in a most painful death.
Circus Maximus
Circus means a circle or a course for chariot races and not for clowns. The Circus Maximus was the largest hippodrome. The Circus Maximus was a very visited place in the Romans time. The Romans held chariot races all the time. People came to see fierce races on a daily bases. The stadium could fit 300,000 spectators. The Circus Maximus was a track used primarily for horse-racing, although it was also used for hunts or mock battles. it was built around AD6. It was twice destroyed by fire and on at least two occasions the stands collapsed, killing many people. There was a long barrier (spina) that ran down the middle of the track.
The Forum
The Forum was the meeting place for Rome. It was also a gigantic market place where people came to buy and sell goods. It was the center of civic and economic live in Ancient Rome. It was a very busy place. People from all over Rome went there for their economic needs. The Forum was the marketplace of Rome and also the business district and civic center. It was expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts.
The Roman Pantheon
The Pantheon used to be a temple. It was created by Agrippa. Unfortunately in AD80 the glorious temple was destroyed in a fire. The Pantheon was created as a reconstruction of the temple. The pantheon has one hole on the top of it. the hole was used for letting light and air in. The entrance consists of three rows of eight columns of Egyptian granite with Corinthian capitals. They support an entablature facing the square, which bears the famous inscription in Latin, attributing the construction to Agrippa, although the extant temple was rebuilt later by Hadrian.
The Roman Baths
The ancient Romans, men and women, loved the baths. They would socialize with tire friends there, especially in the afternoon when it was hot. Some baths can still be visited by tourists. They are Trajan's Bathhouse and Baths of Caracalla
Roman Roads
The ancient Romans built some of the best roads in the ancient world. They did this so that they could connect and control their vast empire.
The aqueducts were Roman man-made water system. Water was carried for irrigation and to supply water to cities and towns.
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