5: The Martyr | Colosseum

Duration: 46'09''

Synopsis

The public execution of criminals is a staple in the Colosseum, but during Trajan's games, one of these victims is no common prisoner. Bishop Ignatius of Antioch is part of a growing underground religion threatening Roman traditions - Christianity.

Further Information

More clips from Colosseum

1: The Gladiators | Colosseum

1: The Gladiators | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 47'02''

In AD80, the Colosseum is open for business. Roman emperor Titus plans 100 days of games to commemorate, including an epic battle to the death ...

2: The Builder | Colosseum

2: The Builder | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 46'28''

Although master builder Haterius constructs the Colosseum where Nero’s Golden House once stood, his work is far from over. Rome's new emperor, Dom...

3: The Beastmaster | Colosseum

3: The Beastmaster | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 46'32''

Over a million animals are slaughtered on the sands of the arena by trained beastmasters, none more famous than Carpophorus. But when met with...

4: The Gladiatrix | Colosseum

4: The Gladiatrix | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 46'32''

When the Emperor Trajan stages his great games of AD107, the crowd is treated to a rare spectacle - female gladiators. A Roman named Mevia illu...

6: The Scientist | Colosseum

6: The Scientist | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 46'30''

One of the most famous scientists of the ancient world, Galen of Pergamon, makes a name for himself as a doctor for gladiators in the arena.

7: Commodus | Colosseum

7: Commodus | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 46'54''

All Roman rulers put great value on spectacles and games, but only one, the son of Marcus Aurelius, steps out of the imperial box and onto the sands ...

8: The Pagan | Colosseum

8: The Pagan | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 45'56''

By the 4th century AD, the Roman Empire is in decline, and the Colosseum, once a proud symbol of the Empire's glory, lies empty. One man turns to th...

More resources about The Romans

1: Boudicca's Rebellion | Battlefield Britain

1: Boudicca's Rebellion | Battlefield Britain

BBC Two | 2004 | 58'57''

Peter and Dan Snow on the battles that shaped our nation, starting almost 2,000 years ago with the revolt of the Iceni, led by ...

Horrible Histories: The Movie (2019)

Horrible Histories: The Movie (2019)

CBBC | 2021 | 1'28'05''

When Roman lad Atti offends edgy Emperor Nero, he is drafted to fight in far-flung Britain, where local Celt lass Orla itches to join Bo...

2: Augustus: First of the Emperors | I, Caesar

2: Augustus: First of the Emperors | I, Caesar

BBC Two | 1997 | 48'58''

In 44 BC, a teenage relative of Julius Caesar stepped in and triumphed over Mark Antony and Cleopatra in a brutal civil war, b...

1: Romans to Normans | Michael Wood's Story of England

1: Romans to Normans | Michael Wood's Story of England

BBC Four | 2010 | 58'57''

Michael Wood uncovers the history of Kibworth's first 1,000 years, with a Roman villa, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and evide...

Colosseum: Rome's Arena of Death

Colosseum: Rome's Arena of Death

BBC One | 2003 | 57'25''

Drama documentary real-life gladiator, Verus, who fought during the opening games of the Colosseum in Rome AD 80. The programme follows Veru...

2: Medicine, Public Health and Government | History File

2: Medicine, Public Health and Government | History File

BBC Two | 1989 | 18'57''

With the fall of the Roman Empire came the collapse of the public health system which they had initiated. What broug...

The Roman Empire | Learning Zone

The Roman Empire | Learning Zone

BBC Two | 2013 | 6'18''

Bettany Hughes explains why the Romans were keen to invade Britain.

1: The Gladiators | Colosseum

1: The Gladiators | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 47'02''

In AD80, the Colosseum is open for business. Roman emperor Titus plans 100 days of games to commemorate, including an epic battle to the death ...

4: The Gladiatrix | Colosseum

4: The Gladiatrix | Colosseum

BBC Four | 2023 | 46'32''

When the Emperor Trajan stages his great games of AD107, the crowd is treated to a rare spectacle - female gladiators. A Roman named Mevia illu...

Mount Vesuvius erupts | Pompeii: The Mystery of the People Frozen in Time

Mount Vesuvius erupts | Pompeii: The Mystery of the People Frozen in Time

BBC One | 2013 | 2'32''

An exploration of what happened when Mount Vesuvius first erupted in 79AD.

S1E1: Dark Ages | The Worst Jobs In History

S1E1: Dark Ages | The Worst Jobs In History

Channel 4 | 2004 | 48'53''

Some of the worst jobs of the Dark Ages in Britain were mining gold for the Romans, ploughing fields with a wooden plough and oth...

Scotland: Rome's Final Frontier

Scotland: Rome's Final Frontier

BBC Two | 2012 | 58'50''

Archaeologist Dr Fraser Hunter looks back on three centuries of contact and conflict with Scotland's Roman invaders, a story of a superpower ...

The Roman invasion | Learning Zone

The Roman invasion | Learning Zone

BBC Two | 2015 | 5'22''

The Romans seek to consolidate their control of the country, where some tribes accept them and others resent them.

What historians now believe happened at Pompeii | Pompeii: The Mystery of the People Frozen in Time

What historians now believe happened at Pompeii | Pompeii: The Mystery of the People Frozen in Time

BBC One | 2013 | 3'41''

What historians now believe happened at Pompeii

1: Age of Conquest | Seven Ages of Britain

1: Age of Conquest | Seven Ages of Britain

BBC HD | 2010 | 59'09''

David Dimbleby charts the last 2,000 years of Britain through its art and treasure. The first part begins with the Roman invasion ...

1: Medicine and Religion | History File

1: Medicine and Religion | History File

BBC Two | 1998 | 24'02''

Programme begins with looking at Ancient Greece, then the Roman Empire then looking at Muslim and Christian links.

2: Streetlife | Meet the Romans with Mary Beard

2: Streetlife | Meet the Romans with Mary Beard

BBC HD | 2012 | 59'02''

Professor Mary Beard discovers the crime and slum conditions in the world's first high-rise city.

5: Constantine: Bearing the Cross | I, Caesar

5: Constantine: Bearing the Cross | I, Caesar

BBC Two | 1997 | 49'09''

This episode looks at the reign of Constantine, who in the 4th century revived a Roman world in crisis and changed the course o...

5: Roman Invasions | Historyonics

5: Roman Invasions | Historyonics

BBC One | 2004 | 29'08''

Nick Knowles investigates the truth about Julius Caesar and the two incursions he made into Britain before 54BC, discovering why and how he...

Ancient Rome | The Supersizers

Ancient Rome | The Supersizers

BBC Two | 2009 | 58'55''

Restaurant critic Giles Coren and performer and broadcaster Sue Perkins travel back to the Roman Empire. Living in a splendid villa, they samp...