The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and stone, it is the largest amphitheatre in the world and is considered one of the greatest works of architecture and engineering. Now to the real story, the Colosseum not only entertained, but it emphasized to Rome’s citizens the brutal punishment for criminals, rebels, and prisoners of war. Watching a lion eat somebody to pieces is a pretty good incentive not to steal. Also, well-trained and well-fed slaves posed as gladiators fought to their death, a gruesome grizzly sport that few dared to protest.
There were also animal events at the Colosseum. Animals were trained to do tricks, but more often exotic animals were used in “hunts” where they were pitted against each other or fought by the bestiarii (gladiators specializing in animal fighting). Anima rights seemed to be non-existent then.
Known for its record-breaking height and sophisticated art deco style, the Empire State Building is one of New York City’s most recognized landmarks. While the building is often admired in the world of architecture—the building’s past is far more ominous than many of us realize. From failed suicide attempts to accidental plane crashes, its history casts a vibrant line-up of plot-lines and characters spanning the past ninety years.
The Eiffel Tower, measuring 984 feet, was built in Paris in 1889. And as many French things do, it taunted American architects with its lofty height. Thus, the idea of the Empire State Building was born, 1,250 feet.
There have been more than 30 suicide attempts at the Empire State Building. On account of unanticipated conditions and poor planing, there have been two cases where jumpers survived by failing to fall more than one floor. These failed suicide attempts would have been better off if they succeeded given the vegetable states of the survivors, leaving them worse than before.
In addition to suicide, the Empire State Building’s death toll also includes tragedies resulting from two shootings, as well as a plane crash.
If these walls could talk; the Empire State Building’s precarious past is almost as haunting and dualistic as New York itself.
