It's 80 AD and the colosseum is open for business. Roman emperor Titus plans 100 days of games to commemorate, including an epic battle to the death between gladiators Priscus and Verus.

Emperor Domitian tasks master builder Haterius with building a labyrinth underneath the colosseum floor.

Beast master Carpophorus is enslaved by the Romans and trained to fight beasts in the Colosseum.

The mighty Emperor Trajan throws his great games of A.D. 107, and the crowd is treated to a rare spectacle: female gladiators.

Ignatius refuses to pledge his allegiance to the emperor and for this crime he is forced to travel 1800 miles in chains and mostly on foot from Antioch to Rome where awaits his final punishment at The Colosseum.

Roman Scientist Galan goes from small time physician to renowned doctor and close ally of the emperor Marcus Aurelius.

The reign of Commodus brings turmoil, famine, and absentee government; but the colosseum remains center stage.

By the 4th Century AD, a divided Roman Empire is rocked by devastating earthquakes, fires, barbarian invasions, and deep religious divides. As Rome declines, the Colosseum, which once stood as a proud symbol of the Empire's glory, lies empty.