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In 'Colosseum' you are a Roman impresario - producing great spectacles in your arena in the hope of attracting the most spectators to your events. You'll earn wealth and glory for each event you run, using it to build ever more ambitious events. Attract the most spectators to one of your events and you'll be granted the title of Grand Impresario, with tales of your extraordinary spectacles acclaimed throughout the empire.

At the beginning of the game each player is given responsibility for a different Roman arena. These arenas are located in various cities that are connected via a paved Roman road. The principal arenas in 'Colosseum' are in Verona, Paestum, Pompeii, Capua, and of course, Roma. Expanding the size of your arena allows you to produce larger events. Not only will the amphitheatre hold more spectators, the larger arena gives you an even better opportunity to influence the Emperor and other nobles to attend.

To produce the largest programmes you'll need to expand your arena twice. You could even dream of matching the size of the real Colosseum which was the largest Roman Amphitheatre ever built and could hold as many as 50,000 spectators. Adding an Emperor's Loge to your arena will increase the chances that the Emperor will come to one of your events. If you are skilful enough to attract him, you'll want to make sure you are able to produce the best possible programme of events.

Being an impresario is not always simple. You'll need plenty of money to hire the best performers and build an arena that matches your ambition. But to be successful, your spectacle still has to have a good storyline - an Event Programme that will make your performance the 'must see' event that all of Rome is talking about. There are some very creative ideas out there, but you'll have to purchase the rights - and the best are always expensive!

Each Impresario will need to travel the Empire to find those special markets that sell fearless gladiators, powerful lions and magnificent horses. To complete your production you'll also need to create the backdrop to the action. Set the stage with Ships for the Naumachia, Torches, Scenery, Decorations, and Cages for the animals. And of course no Roman spectacle would be complete without Chariots!

Nothing comes cheap and you'll be competing with other impresarios to get the spectacle elements you need. All of these resources are auctioned off in sets so you might end up acquiring some elements that you don't need for your programs.  The remedy is to find another impresario who is willing to negotiate a trade or two so both of you can get what you need.

If you are ambitious the Emperor may grant you the right to construct an additional podium in your arena that will immediately be filled with additional spectators.

Age 10+              For 3-5 players              Playing time: Approx. 90 minutes

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