Myron
Godslayer
Vulso Colosseum
Name: It is oficially known as the Vulso Amphitheater, however the common term for it is simply the Colosseum.
Classification: Colosseum.
Location: The Vulso Amphitheater was located in the center of the civitas of Reim, capital of the Imperium. More specifically, the exact site chosen to engineer the great structure was a flat area on the floor of a low valley between the Caelian, Esquiline and Palatine Hills, through which a canalised stream ran. Directly east was the great forum of Reim. One of the largest and most successful locations of commerce in the outer rim.
Entrance:
Entrance to the Colosseum.
"When I first stepped into those gates my legs were shaking with fury. I'll admit it. It's scary as the seven demons of hell. In fact, I called it Limbo." -Tivirius Alexius - Gladiator.
Affiliation: The Reim Imperium.
Description: The arena was 343 meters by 346 meters. It comprised a durasteel floor covered by sand, covering an elaborate underground structure called the hypogeum (literally meaning "underground"). It consisted of a two-level subterranean network of tunnels and cages beneath the arena where gladiators and animals were held before contests began. Eighty vertical shafts provided instant access to the arena for caged animals and scenery pieces concealed underneath; larger hinged platforms, called hegmata, provided access for Rancors and the like. It was restructured on numerous occasions. For more private events a great ceiling would cover the opened top; along with some other accommodations.
The Colosseum interior:
"Are you not entertained?"
"Get back here and face my cortosis blade!"
"Reim Invicta! For freedom!"
The hypogeum was connected by underground tunnels to a number of points outside the Colosseum. Animals and performers were brought through the tunnel from nearby stables, with the gladiators' barracks at the Vulso Magnus to the east also being connected by tunnels. Separate tunnels were provided for the Imperator and the Court to permit them to enter and exit the Colosseum without needing to pass through the crowds. Substantial quantities of machinery also existed in the hypogeum. Elevators and massnulling clips raised and lowered scenery and props, as well as lifting caged animals to the surface for release.
Underground:
"It was a underground city, beneath the colosseum. Slaves, animals, servants, even gladiators. All those involved in the games working constantly to keep things running. It's a surprise I'm not chopped up by now. With all dem' gladiators coming through here signing up. Once one dressed up like a mandalorian came in here and asked me if I was ready to watch the awakening. Never saw him again." -unknown.
Tunnels:
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Dark, damp, and cold.
The Impertator's personal entrance.
There is the existence of major hydraulic mechanism. It was possible to flood the arena rapidly, presumably via a connection to a nearby aqueduct. The Colosseum could accommodate 157,000 people, although after remodeling and the expansion of the size allowed roughly 200,000. They were seated in a tiered arrangement that reflected the rigidly stratified nature of Reiman society. Special boxes were provided at the north and south ends respectively for the Imperator and the Overseer, providing the best views of the arena. Flanking them at the same level was a broad platform or podium for the senatorial class, who were allowed to bring their own chairs. The tier above the senators, known as the maenianum primum, was occupied by the non-senatorial noble class or knights (equites). The next level up, the maenianum secundum, was originally reserved for ordinary Reiman citizens (plebeians) and was divided into two sections. The lower part (the immum) was for wealthy citizens, while the upper part (the summum) was for poor citizens. Specific sectors were provided for other social groups: for instance, boys with their tutors, soldiers on leave, foreign dignitaries, scribes, heralds, priests and so on. Stone (and later marble) seating was provided for the citizens and nobles, who presumably would have brought their own cushions with them. Another level, the maenianum secundum in legneis, was added at the very top of the building after the Inaugural games. This comprised a gallery for the common poor, servants, and even slaves. It would have been either standing room only, or would have had very steep wooden benches. Some groups were banned altogether from the Colosseum, notably gravediggers, actors and former gladiators.
History: Construction of the Colosseum began under the rule of Imperator Tiberius Vulso. The Colosseum had been completed up to the third story by the time of the recent conquering of Cloud City. With the threat of war bearing on Vulso’s shoulders he assigned his Overseer, Myron Aquila, to complete the top level of the Colosseum. The first inaugural games were held the entirety of the next week after the victory for Hoth. Forgemaster Marius recounts that over 3,000 wild animals, 4,000 slaves, and 300 gladiators were killed during the games.
Once in the pit, always. -Excerpt from the gladiators creed.
"The Imperator will one day bath in the blood of his enjoyment." From the words of a mother whose son was killed in the games.
Commemorative coinage was issued celebrating of the inauguration. The building was even remodeled further when the Amphitheater could not seat the amount of people interested in attending. The newly designated Vitas Domitian, who constructed the hypogeum, and a series of underground tunnels used to house animals and slaves. He also added a gallery to the top of the Colosseum to increase its seating capacity, along with the ability to fill the pit with water and other liquids. After the colosseum was completed, the Imperator had a team of constructors build a Domus Aurea around the structure, along with making the Colosseum appear more grandiose. In an effort to do so he assigned the creation of an artificial lake surrounded by pavilions, gardens and porticoes. The existing Aqua Claudia aqueduct was extended to supply water to the area and the gigantic bronze Colossus of Vulso which was set up nearby at the entrance to the Domus Aurea. Construction was funded by the opulent spoils taken from Cloud City after the Great Revolt, which led to the Siege of Hoth. According to a slave whom had escaped the Reim capital planet, "Imperator Tiberius ordered this amphitheater to be erected from his general's share of the booty." Along with the spoils, estimated 100,000 Cloud City prisoners were brought back to Reim after the war, and many contributed to the massive workforce needed for construction. The slaves undertook manual labor such as working in the quarries at Tivoli where the travertine was quarried, along with lifting and transporting the quarried stones 20 miles from Tivoli to Reim. Along with this free source of unskilled labor, teams of professional Reiman builders, engineers, artists, painters and decorators undertook the more specialized tasks necessary for building the Colosseum. With it now being assumed complete, inaugural games are hosted averagely on the tenth of each month. With smaller scaled entertainment being provided daily, this includes small gladiator battles, along with large, speeder races, ship mangling, and the fighting of wild beasts.
Intent: To create a reference for future roleplaying done here, also as a means to flesh out the city of Reim and the Imperium.
Links: N/A (will be added once I am able to create the other notable structures and locations for the Imperium)
