Emperor Titus Flavius was stunned by the noise that filled the amphitheater as he rose to his feet and stepped to the front of his box. The animals, musicians, dancers, charioteers, and gladiators parading around the arena had received thunderous applause from the audience, but now the roar was even louder. Fifty thousand spectators howled with pleasure at the sight of the emperor, their host at this most lavish entertainment. Deafened, but very pleased, Titus slowly raised his hands in a salute to his subjects. Trumpets blared and the cheering echoed. The Flavian Amphitheater, the Colosseum, was officially open. The celebration, 100 days of festivities and entertainment, could begin. Romans had their own ideas of what entertainment should be. Gymnastics and foot races, the kinds of athletic competitions favored in neighboring Greece, had never caught on in Rome. Stage plays, whether tragedy or comedy, seemed a tame reflection of life. To please a Roman audience, real blood had to be shed. Real people and animals had to die. Titus knew that, and he had planned spectacles for the opening of the amphitheater to satisfy the most demanding crowd. The morning's entertainment began. Lions fought against elephants and enraged bulls. Trees, boulders, and other scenery appeared, transforming the arena into a woodland setting. Leopards were released and hunters pursued and killed them. Crocodiles, ostriches, boars, and elephants were slaughtered. Hours later the wild beast shows ended. The crowd talked excitedly during the pause for a midday meal. The best was still to come. Again trumpets sounded, and a procession of gladiators entered the arena. They were welltrained and well-armed, the best that Rome's gladiatorial schools had to offer. As they stopped before the emperor's box, the crowd grew silent. The gladiators solemnly greeted Titus: "We who are about to die salute you." Pair after pair of gladiators clashed in skilled hand-to-hand combat. They were fighting for their lives, and they fought furiously. The audience cheered them on. As corpses were dragged out through the Porta Libitina (Gate of the Dead) at the eastern end of the arena, more gladiators strutted in at the western end. Slaves raked fresh sand over the blood-soaked arena floor (arena comes from the Latin word for sand -- harena ) and the combat continued. When the last fight had ended, the few victorious gladiators were rewarded. Titus presented each with a palm branch -- symbol of victory -- and gold coins. The spectators, weary but satisfied, trailed out into the night. The first day was over. Ninety-nine more days lay ahead. Excerpted from The Roman Colosseum: The story of the world's most famous stadium and its deadly Games by Elizabeth Mann All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.