Colosseum

Lore & Background

The construction of such a massive edifice required the mobilization of vast resources and the labor of thousands, yet it was deemed essential for the projection of Roman power. By housing these specialized fighters, Rome could deploy units that possessed superior armor and combat capabilities compared to standard infantry. The Colosseum thus became a symbol of Roman dominance, a place where the raw potential of the empire's warriors was honed into a lethal force capable of securing victory against any foe they faced on the front lines.

Reader's Guide

The Colosseum is a unique building available only to the Roman civilization in the Imperial Age. Once built, it trains Gladiators, a specialized heavy infantry unit that replaces standard Swordsmen or Pikemen in the Roman lineup. These units boast higher hit points and armor than their contemporaries, making them excellent for holding the line against cavalry and archers. However, they are slower to train compared to regular barracks units. No specific technology is required to unlock the Colosseum itself other than reaching the Imperial Age; however, upgrading the Gladiators' armor and attack requires standard military technologies available through the Blacksmith or University. Players should note that building a Colosseum consumes a significant amount of wood and gold, so it is best constructed when resources are abundant.

Did You Know?

• The Colosseum allows Romans to train Gladiators without needing to build a Castle first, unlike many other advanced military buildings.
• In real history, the Flavian Amphitheatre (the original Colosseum) was used to host games and naval battles, but in-game it is strictly a military training ground.