The Roman Coliseum
We always admire great structures of the past. It's amazing that without modern technology these huge, intricate buildings could be erected. The Roman Coliseum is an example of these ancient structures. Building of the Coliseum began c. 72 AD by Emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD by Vespasian's son Titus. The name "coliseum" came to be becausethe Coliseum was next to a colossal statue of Nero. The original name of the huge structure was The Amphiteatrum Flavium. (The Coliseum of Ancient Rome p 1) When the arena was completely built emperor Titus inaugurated it with a bloodbath. For 100 days the arena shook with the roar of 50,000 people, the death of gladiators,and the wild screams of 5,000 animals. This parade of killing lasted 4 centuries in spite ofChristian protest. (National Geographic Society pg. 451) The Coliseum was over 160 feet high and had 80 entrances. It could hold nearly50,000 people who came to watch gladiator fights and wild animal hunts. Throughoutthe course of these fights as many as 10,000 people were killed. (The Coliseum of
was 34 feet high and the arches were 23 feet high and 14 feet wide. The Coliseum hasstood for a very long time and has endured earthquakes, time, and battles. The top level was 45 feet high and had no arches at all. 1) Until recent times the Coliseum served as a marble quarry. The year of 248 marked Rome's one thousandth anniversary and it was celebrated in the Colosseum. In the year 320 the Coliseum was struck by lightening. The Coliseum is a huge part of our history and we need to keep it in as good of condition as we can. When the Colosseum was badly damaged by an earthquake it was transformed into a medieval fortress and became a source of building materials during the Renaissance period when Cardinal Farnese was granted permission from his uncle, Pope Paul III, to use the Colosseum's stones to build his own palace. There is also no record of Christians being fed to lions unlike what many people believe today. The lower cells held prisoners and animals. If the sun was out a big colored awningor velarium was stretched over them to prevent the sun from coming on the spectators. Six of the original 200 columns are still standing today. Police in Rome have ordered that traffic be detoured around the Coliseum. 405 marked the time that Honorius abolished gladiatorial games.
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