14 DAY TRIAL // Roman emperor Commodus, who reigned from AD 180 to 192, enjoyed dressing up as a gladiator and battling wild animals, new evidence indicates.
Thus, archaeologists carrying out excavations close to Rome claim they have stumbled upon the remains of a mini-colosseum that was the private property of said Roman emperor.
The 2nd-century mini-colosseum is located on Commodus' estate in Genzano, southeast of Rome, information shared with the public says.
By the looks of it, the structure is basically an oval arena sporting curved walls and marble floors.
Archaeologists say the arena measures roughly 200 by 130 feet (approx. 60 by 40 meters) and is fitted with an imperial box.
At any given time, the amphitheater that Commodus had ordered be built on his estate could accommodate little over 1,300 people, specialists estimate.
According to Daily Mail, Commodus used this arena to battle and kill wild animals while sporting items of clothing typically worn by gladiators.
“In Rome he killed dozens of animals. For example, bears with single javelin shots - although at least some of the time he was on a protected walkway above the arena,” researcher Timothy Renner explains.
It appears that the emperor longed to be viewed as the second Hercules by his subjects, and organized such battles to prove that he was worthy of this nickname, historical writings indicate.
Provided that these historical records are true to facts, Commodus dressed up as a gladiator at least 735 times throughout his lifetime.
The same source informs us that the remains of Commodus' private colosseum were discovered quite by chance.
More precisely, the archaeologists who found them were merely excavating several thermal baths located on the emperor's estate when they noticed part of a curving structure.
Later on, they used ground-penetrating radars to map the area and concluded that said structure was part and parcel of a surprisingly large arena.