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The Roman Colosseum was the work of a brilliant and energetic civilization The Roman Colosseum was the work of a cruel and brutal civilization

Both are true

The Roman Colosseum was one of the most extraordinary buildings in the ancient world, a work of engineering genius whose design is imitated every time a modern stadium is built Yet, what went on inside this building is difficult to comprehend

Over the centuries, tens of thousands of slaves, prisoners of war, and criminals were slaughtered in the Colosseum for the entertainment of over 50,000 cheering fans So many animals were destroyed in gruesome "hunts" staged in the arena that entire species disappeared from the Roman colonies of North Africa

The Roman Colosseum interweaves the impressive story of the construction of this remarkable building and the sobering tale of the "games" that went on inside it In doing so, it reveals an entire civilization in all its genius and its brutality

Wonders of the World series

The winner of numerous awards, this series is renowned for Elizabeth Mann's ability to convey adventure and excitement while revealing technical information in engaging and easily understood language The illustrations are lavishly realistic and accurate in detail but do not ignore the human element Outstanding in the genre, these books are sure to bring even the most indifferent young reader into the worlds of history, geography, and architecture

"One of the ten best non-fiction series for young readers "
- Booklist