Echoes of the Arena: The Lasting Impact of Ancient Stadiums on Today’s Sports Culture

Echoes of the Arena: The Lasting Impact of Ancient Stadiums on Today’s Sports Culture

Presenter(s)

Oliver Thimling

Comments

9:00-10:15, Kennedy Union Ballroom

Description

This paper examines the evolution of stadiums and spectator sports, focusing on the influence of ancient arenas on the design and culture of modern sports venues. Beginning with the grand structures of ancient civilizations, such as the Roman Colosseum and Greek amphitheaters, the study explores how these early stadiums were designed to host large audiences for competitive and often theatrical events. These ancient venues not only served as architectural marvels but were also central to the social and cultural fabric of their societies. The paper then traces the transformation of these ancient designs into modern stadiums, analyzing how architectural advancements, technology, and the commercialization of sport have shaped the spectator experience today. The research draws on a variety of sources, including scholarly books, journal articles, and firsthand accounts gathered from virtual tours of both ancient and contemporary stadiums. By comparing ancient and contemporary sports venues, this study highlights the ways in which the fundamental purpose of stadiums is to entertain, unite, and inspire. It has remained consistent, even as the nature of sports and global fandoms has evolved. Through this historical lens, the paper offers insights into the lasting legacy of ancient sports venues and their continuing influence on modern entertainment and stadium design.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Course Project - HST 304 M1

Primary Advisor

Dorian Borbonus

Primary Advisor's Department

History

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Critical Evaluation of Our Times; Scholarship; Traditions

Echoes of the Arena: The Lasting Impact of Ancient Stadiums on Today’s Sports Culture

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