The Colosseum
Also known as the Flavian Amphitheater it is located at Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma, Italy. While under construction of emperor Vespasian in AD 72, and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (81–96). These three emperors are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheater was named in Latin for its association with their family name (Flavius). The decision to construct the Colosseum was made by Emperor Vespasian in 70 A.D. He decided to demolish the palace of Nero to construct an arena that would house gladiator games.
The Colosseum was used as a venue for hosting different events in Rome. Admission was free to the public and people came to the Colosseum to watch the gladiators fight. They fought to death, and about 400,000 people died as a result of the games.The Colosseum could hold, it is estimated, between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators] having an average audience of some 65,000; it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles (for only a short time as the hypogeumwas soon filled in with mechanisms to support the other activities), animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
Colosseum has provided many people with wonder and unanswered questions about its marvelous structure and advanced architectural design. This historical structure was and still is providing guidance to what roman culture was like, their barbaric nature, fearless battle, and violent drive to win. For the Colosseum to hold up to 50,000 Roman citizens and to have it be filled nearly every time an event was held shows their need for excitement and entertainment. While the Colosseum was the most visible and grandest symbol of the gladiatorial games, it was but one of hundreds, if not more, of amphitheaters in the Empire over a span of several hundred years. The average Roman living in Antioch would be more impressed by her or his amphitheater there, with tangible spectacles and events, than a much larger one in a faraway location. It could be said, however, that the Colosseum itself was a symbol of the power of Rome, displayed to every citizen. Each amphitheater in the empire would have been but a pretender to its glory. Those who had visited Rome would have been awed by it, and it would have left an impression about their place in the world.
The Colosseum was used as a venue for hosting different events in Rome. Admission was free to the public and people came to the Colosseum to watch the gladiators fight. They fought to death, and about 400,000 people died as a result of the games.The Colosseum could hold, it is estimated, between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators] having an average audience of some 65,000; it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles (for only a short time as the hypogeumwas soon filled in with mechanisms to support the other activities), animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
Colosseum has provided many people with wonder and unanswered questions about its marvelous structure and advanced architectural design. This historical structure was and still is providing guidance to what roman culture was like, their barbaric nature, fearless battle, and violent drive to win. For the Colosseum to hold up to 50,000 Roman citizens and to have it be filled nearly every time an event was held shows their need for excitement and entertainment. While the Colosseum was the most visible and grandest symbol of the gladiatorial games, it was but one of hundreds, if not more, of amphitheaters in the Empire over a span of several hundred years. The average Roman living in Antioch would be more impressed by her or his amphitheater there, with tangible spectacles and events, than a much larger one in a faraway location. It could be said, however, that the Colosseum itself was a symbol of the power of Rome, displayed to every citizen. Each amphitheater in the empire would have been but a pretender to its glory. Those who had visited Rome would have been awed by it, and it would have left an impression about their place in the world.