Aired
February 11, 2015
NOVA
NOVA
Colosseum: Roman Death Trap #S42E14
One of the ancient world's most iconic buildings, the Colosseum is a monument to Roman imperial power and cruelty. Its graceful lines and harmonious proportions concealed a highly efficient design and advanced construction methods that made hundreds of arches out of 100,000 tons of stone. In its elliptical arena, tens of thousands of gladiators, slaves, prisoners, and wild animals met their deaths. Ancient texts report lions and elephants emerging from beneath the floor, as if by magic, to ravage gladiators and people condemned to death. Then, just as quickly, the Colosseum could be flooded with so much water that ships could engage in sea battles to the delight of the crowd. Now, archaeologists and engineers are teaming up to recreate a 25-foot lifting machine and trap door system capable of releasing a wolf into the Colosseum's arena for the first time in 1,500 years. Do they have what it takes to replicate the innovation and ingenuity of the Romans?
Episode 14 of Season 42 from NOVA — available to stream in HD on any device.
Comments & Discussions
Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Recommended
Because you liked NOVA
World's Most Dangerous Prisoners
World's Most Dangerous Prisoners
TikTok: Murder Gone Viral
TikTok: Murder Gone Viral
Ambulance
Ambulance
Mob War: Philadelphia vs. the Mafia
Mob War: Philadelphia vs. the Mafia
Hustlers Gamblers Crooks
Hustlers Gamblers Crooks
Wheeler Dealers: World Tour
Wheeler Dealers: World Tour
Paranormal Caught on Camera
Paranormal Caught on Camera
Deep Dive North America
Deep Dive North America
Fatal Engineering
Fatal Engineering
Allen Iv3rson
Allen Iv3rson
Explore Content
Search for movies, TV shows, collections, manga, or people
Trending Now