Little Tony of Italy

by Madeline Brandeis

THE COLOSSEUM: ROME

"Outdoor theatres, called 'circuses,' were also numerous. The oldest of these is the Circus Maximus, where races were held.

INSIDE THE COLOSSEUM: ROME

"The Colosseum is a huge outdoor arena where slaves and criminals were thrown to hungry lions. People sat about and enjoyed the show.

"Of course the poor men were killed. But the audience watched this terrible sport as naturally as we, today, watch a tennis game. They pitied the victims no more than we pity the tennis balls!"

Anna squirmed unhappily. "Now read something nice," she said. "The story of Romulus and Remus, because I like the good wolf."

Her father smiled and turned a page. Always stories about animals for little Anna!

"Here we are," he said. "The old myth goes that Romulus and Remus were twin babies, cast upon the River Tiber by a jealous king. Their basket floated ashore and was found by a mother wolf.