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The Romans flooded the Colosseum for sea battles - Janelle Peters

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Starting in 80 CE, residents of Rome and visitors from across the Roman Empire would fill the stands of the Colosseum to see gladiators duel, animals fight and chariots race around the arena. And for the grand finale, water poured into the arena basin, submerging the stage for the greatest spectacle of all: staged naval battles. Janelle Peters details the history of these mock maritime encounters.

The sea battles staged in the Colosseum reenacted historical battles, even those in which Rome did not take part. Do you think this was purely for entertainment, or was it also a way to rewrite important historical moments?

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Janelle Peters
  • Director Brett Underhill
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Animator Brett Underhill
  • Designer Brett Underhill
  • Music Brett Underhill
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Script Editor Dan Kwartler
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

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