The Colosseum was used for gladiatoral shows as well as a variety of other events. These events had strong religious element but were also demonstrations of power and family prestige and very inmensely popular with the population. Another poplar type of ow was the animal hunt. Those condemned to death would be sent to the Colossum naked and unarmed to fight the wild beast and ultimately be killed and dismembered. During the intervals of these shows, they used to have acrobats and magicians.
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