“We saw the theatre (amphitheatre) with interwoven beams rising to heaven, so high as almost to overlook the Tarpeian rock, and the immense steps and the sloping passages gently descending.... What shall I describe further? I saw all kinds of wild beasts, ... not only those carniverous monsters of the forest, but sea-monsters together with fighting bears. I saw seals, and herds of shapeless animals bearing the name of horses (hippo-potami), but deformed, the offspring of the Nile. Oh how often have we trembling seen the arena sinking in parts, and a gulf burst open in the ground from which wild beasts have emerged[124].”
In A.D. 217, the amphitheatre was struck by lightning and burnt under Macrinus, as we are told by Dio Cassius. This passage shews that the upper storeys were of wood, and that there was much woodwork about the galleries and corridors.
“The amphitheatre also was struck by lightning on the very day of the Vulcanalia (23rd of August), all was consumed to such an extent that the upper precinct and whatever was on the area was burned, and all the remaining part shivered in pieces by the heat; nor could the fire have been extinguished by human means, although there was plenty of water, had there not also been copious and vehement rain from the heavens. All the gladiatorial games, consequently, for many years were transferred to the Stadium[125].”
The restoration was begun in the time of Heliogabalus[126], and continued through the whole reign of Alexander Severus[127], A.D. 222-235; and finished under Gordianus III., A.D. 244, as has been shewn by his coin. In A.D. 248 the games, which had been transferred for a time to the Circus Maximus, were again celebrated here.
In A.D. 238-44, we learn that the number of wild beasts kept in Rome for the use of the amphitheatre during the time of the Emperor Gordianus was as follows: 32 elephants, 10 elks, 60 tame lions, 10 tigers, 30 leopards, 10 hyenas, 1 hippopotamus, 1 rhinoceros, 10 wild lions, 10 camelopards, 20 wild asses, 40 wild horses, and many other wild animals, besides two thousand hired gladiators[128]. All these, the Chronicler adds, were exhibited or slain by Philippus, at the Ludi Sæculares which he celebrated with great pomp for the thousandth[129] anniversary of the foundation of Rome, A.D. 248, when he had gladiatorial and wild-beast exhibitions in the amphitheatre[130].
Herodian[131], the Greek historian, writing about the middle of the third century, says that a hundred lions, killed in the amphitheatre by Commodus, appeared to leap out from under the earth. More strictly speaking, they came from under the sand on the stage, as they were sent up in cages which opened at the top, and naturally sprang out as soon as liberty was given to them.
In A.D. 250, another fire took place under Decius, but the damage was speedily repaired.
In A.D. 280, the Emperor Probus in his triumphal shows again had a hundred lions killed in the amphitheatre[132].
In A.D. 320, the amphitheatre was again damaged by lightning, but was soon restored by Constantine[133]. An attempt was made, A.D. 325, to abolish the barbarous combats, and the exposure of convicts, but this was not effected until the martyrdom of Telemachus, an Oriental monk, A.D. 403, who made a pilgrimage from the East on purpose to be martyred here, and during one of the sanguinary shows he rushed into the midst, and falling on his knees, entreated the spectators to have mercy on their victims. He was immediately stoned to death, but so great a sensation was caused by this martyrdom, that the emperor Honorius was able to take advantage of it to suppress the shows.
In A.D. 357, the amphitheatre is described by Ammianus Marcellinus as perfect, and as a marvellous work, from its great height, and its immense size. He also mentions the massive walls of rough stone, or concrete (moles), bound together by travertine (lapis tiburtinus)[134].