THE PEEPS AT ROME. THE COLOSSEUM. HE Colosseum was a very large building. You will have some idea of its size, when I tell you that it covered five acres of ground, and provided accommodation for a hundred thousand persons. It was built very nearly in the form of a circle; and was hence called an amphitheatre. An ordinary theatre is very much in the shape of a horse shoe. The seats are semicircular, and all look towards the stage. In an amphitheatre, the seats are circular, running round the whole building; and the stage, or the arena as it is called, in the centre. The seats of the Colosseum ran round the arena like great hoops, and rose tier above tier, and gallery above gallery, so that each of the hundred thousand spectators had as good a view of the arena as another. It was theatre round and round, and so named amphitheatre. It was also called the Flavian Amphitheatre. It took this name from Titus Flavius Vespasianus, who began to build it in A.D. 72. During the remaining seven years of his reign the building was in progress; but it was completed in the year A.D. 80, by his son and successor Titus. This is the Titus under whom Jerusalem was destroyed in the year A.D. 70. On his return from the destruction of Jerusalem, he brought 12,000 captive Jews with him. These captives were compelled to work in the building, which his father had begun. It must have been very trying for these poor Jews. They had seen Jerusalem taken, their temple burnt with fire, and the ploughshare driven across the field in which its foundations had been built. And as if this were not humiliation enough, they are compelled to aid in the building of a great amphitheatre, which was to be associated more or less with idolatry. They are slaves however, and must do the bidding of their masters. And just as their forefathers had to build the Pyramids of Egypt, when they were strangers in the land of Pharaoh, so they have to build the Colosseum, now that they are slaves in the city of the Cæsars. After eight years of labour, the great building was at last complete, and it was dedicated by Titus with pomp and magnificence. In comparison with all the other buildings in Rome, it was a perfect colossus, and hence I imagine it came to be known by the name it now bears viz, the Colosseum. I shall try and describe it first of all as seen from the outside. The Colosseum consisted of four storeys. The basement storey was a series of 80 arches with Doric columns between. The second storey carried up the same series of arches, only that the columns were Ionic. The third storey was the same, only that the columns were Corinthian. In the last storey the wall was carried up solid, only that in place of the columns there were pilasters, and above every second arch there was a small window. I do not know whether you have followed the description, but perhaps with the aid of the engraving you will make it out. For the sake of Paisley boys, we may mention, that the columns at the entrance to the Library in the "Free Library and Museum" are Doric. This is the simplest style. The four columns at the main entrance to the building are Ionic, whilst the columns in the entrance hall are Corinthian. The Colosseum illustrates in itself these different orders, and rises to the height of 160 feet, arch above arch, column above column, with perfect symmetry. Let me try now to describe this great building from within. The Passing through any of the entrances, you walk on to the centre of the building. You are standing on the place where the arena formerly stood. You look round, and round, and there are nothing but grey mouldering walls. You look up, and all is open to the light of day. arena where you stand was the place where the gladiators fought, men men, and sometimes men with beasts. It was a very large place, and could embrace within its circuit 5,000 wild beasts. But where did the wild beasts come from? They were brought from their dens at the Coelian Hill, by an underground passage, with which opened on the arena. Whenever the lions were wanted, the doors could be thrown open, and they came bounding on the sand, ready to engage in conflict with the gladiators. A high wall ran round the arena, to prevent any of the beasts from reaching the spectators. Above this wall was the first circular marble seat, which was reserved for the Emperor and Senators. Behind it was a gallery of several seats set apart for the nobles. Behind this was another stage with seats nearer the wall, and so larger in their sweep round the building. These belonged to the citizens. Behind this again, there was another tier of seats, the farthest back of all, which was occupied by the soldiers. Imagine these seats and galleries all full, and a hundred thousand pair of eyes all turned on the arena, where you are standing. But what was the use of this huge building, and what was it that brought together such a concourse of people? Let me try to explain this too. It had been the custom in Rome to compel slaves, and prisoners condemned to death, to fight for the amusement of the populace. They fought with each other till the fight was ended by one of the pairs being disabled or killed. At times the "entertainment" was varied by their being set to fight with wild beasts. These fighters were called the gladiators. By and by people put themselves under training, and became gladiators by profession. Some were gladiators who fought with men; others fought only with beasts. The passion for these bloody shows increased among the people, and, in order to gratify them, great amphitheatres were built, where they could be seen by vast numbers. It is awful to think of it, that sometimes on the sand of the arena as many as sixty pairs of men would be fighting at one and the same time, each of the pairs, it may be, with different weapons, but in all cases fighting for life. If one combatant fell, the victor paused. If the fallen gladiator was not sorely hurt, at a signal from the director of the games the fight was renewed. If he were pretty seriously wounded, then, at a signal from the director, the victor either spared his life, or despatched him with a death wound, as the case might be. It is revolting to us to think of all this, but it was the favourite pastime of the Romans. They crowded to the shows-Roman nobles and Roman ladies, Roman citizens and their wives and daughters. They looked down on the combat with frantic interest. They took pleasure in the wild excitement connected with the shedding of blood. All this was very wicked, and, by and by, brought down on them the judgments of God. It may give you some idea of the resources of the Colosseum, if I describe briefly what took place at its dedication by Titus. First of all, there was something by way of diversion, viz., a battle between cranes and pigmies. Then came the fight of the gladiators, with all the different varieties in the methods of fighting; some imitating the Goths, some the Thracians, some the Dacians, but each intent on taking the life of his adversary. After this came the slaughter of 5000 beasts on the arena. And then, when this was over, the scene was changed. Water was turned on the arena, by and by it was a lake, and the show was concluded by a naval battle, ship contending against ship. But the Colosseum was memorable for other scenes than these. The sands of the arena were dyed with more precious blood. It became the scene of many a martyrdom. I shall tell the story of the first martyrdom that took place within its walls. About the year 115 A.D. there was an earthquake at Antioch. The people laid the blame of it on the Christians. The bishop of the place was singled out for punishment, and, that his punishment might strike terror far and wide, he was sentenced by Trajan to be flung to the lions at Rome. On his way from Antioch to Rome he cheered the Christians in every place, exhorting them to steadfastness in the faith. He wrote letters also, at various points in his journey, to the various churches he had visited, encouraging them to cleave fast to the Saviour in the evil days that seemed to be coming on. A PRAYER FOR THOSE AT SEA. On this a At last he reached Rome. It was the last day of the shows. The "entertainment" for the season was over, and the Prefect was about to dismiss the vast multitude in the Colosseum. letter was put into his hand. Immediately he commanded sand to be strewn on the arena for a new spectacle. Ignatius was led into the glittering arena. It was a trying moment. Around him on every side, sloping away backward and upward, was a hillside of eager faces, bent on enjoying the new and unexpected pleasure. Beneath him were the wild beasts, ready to spring forth on their prey. And there before him was the Prefect, holding in his hand the letter which consigned him to death. There was little time for the martyr to make his confession; but he was able to give his last testimony for Christ. 'I am the Lord's wheat; I must be ground by the teeth of beasts to become the pure bread of Jesus Christ." As he spoke, the signal was given, two fierce lions bounded out upon him and slew him. Ignatius was the first martyr of Jesus Christ within the Colosseum. Many more soon followed. Perhaps there is no spot where so many suffered for Christ. A. G. F. A PRAYER FOR THOSE AT SEA. LORD of mercy, Lord of love, Watching from Thy throne above, Wilt Thou hear, unmoved, the cry, Of Thy children's agony? Wilt Thou cast Thy servants' prayer To the idly mocking air, Heedless of the cruel smart, Bitter groan, and breaking heart? Wilt Thou not protect and save Those we love upon the wave? Jesus, Thou hast wept beside One Thou lovedst-one who died; We too weep, yet lack the power Ah! if we might lay them low J. G. M. K. 93 PRIZE BIBLE QUESTIONS. I would I were a sunbeam, A ray from Thee, dear Lord, M. A. LISTON FOULIS. Boys' and Girls' Corner For their own contributions. 'BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS.' THERE are a great many ways in which we can bear one another's burdens. A minister's daughter was once walking along a road when a very little boy, about four years old, said to her, 'Please help me across with this.' It was a barrow full of coals; but neither minding this, nor two boys that were laughing at her, she pulled the barrow across the road, and thus helped to bear the little boy's burden. If any one is sick and in bed, see what a great comfort it affords if we run any little message for them. It is not much trouble to us, and would be amply repaid by the grateful looks, and perhaps words, of the sick one, who has so much pain to bear, while we have got good health and strength. If we see any trying to conquer their tempers, we should not irritate them, but rather try to help them to overcome. If any of us are in trouble, and don't know how to bear it, we must go to Christ, and ask Him to help us. He will answer us if we pray earnestly. Let us all seek to bear one another's burdens, and thus try to follow the example of our blessed Lord Jesus. 'Let us for each other care, Each the other's burdens bear; M. N. F SON CHILDREN OF LIGHT. 95 They We OME children resemble clouds. darken every place they come to. They quarrel with their brothers and sisters and school-mates. They vex their parents. They make their neighbours angry. do not love such children. They are children of darkness. We are glad to see them going out of our sight. But the children of light bring gladness with them whereever they come. From the hour they rise until they return to bed, they make every body around them glad. Their parents are made happy by them. A. MACLEOD, D.D. PRIZE SCRIPTURE ALBUMS THREE Prizes, of the value of £2, £1 10/, and £1, for the best Album of Pictures and Scripture Texts. The pictures may be either drawn or cut out, and an appropriate text or texts neatly written beneath. Each Album must contain not less than twenty pages, and be sent to REV. JOHN KAY, Coatbridge, not later than 1st November, 1877, accompanied by a note from the parent or guardian of the competitor, certifying that it is his or her own unaided work. Competitors not to be above 18 years of age. Unsuccessful competitors will have their Albums returned. PRIZE BIBLE QUESTIONS. SENIOR DIVISION. 22 Give a proof from the account of Christ's infancy, that when the two tribes returned from captivity, some belonging to the ten tribes came also. 23 There was one portion of the Book of Deuteronomy taught to all Hebrew children: one, in circumstances of great spiritual danger, shows that he had committed these portions of the book of the law, by interposing them as a shield between himself and his enemy. Who was it that did so, and what are the passages? 24 What name given to Christ at the beginning of his public ministry, so impressed itself on the mind of a disciple that in one of his writings he makes use of it no fewer than thirty times? JUNIOR DIVISION. 22 What expression used by Jesus in naming one of His people, shows the tenderness of the union between Him and them? 23 What metaphor used by Paul shows the inseparableness of this union. 24 In two words from an epistle describe the joy of heaven? |