COLISEUM
THE COLISEUM IS ALSO CALLED THE FLAVISH AMPHITHEATRE
72 CE
Vespasian
80 CE
Titus
82 CE
Domitian
FLAVIAN
AMPHI
THEATRE
COLOSSEUM
WHAT IS THE COLISEUM?
ANCIENT AMPHITHEATRE
The Colosseum is one of the most iconic structures in history. Located in Rome, Italy, it was built by Emperor Vespasian and his son Titus between 70-80 AD as a gift to the Roman people. It stands today as an enduring symbol of Ancient Rome’s grandeur and engineering prowess. The Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests, public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts and executions. Its construction required vast resources: stone from quarries around Tivoli; travertine limestone from Monteverde; marble blocks from Carrara (in modern day Tuscany); iron clamps to hold it all together; timber roofing beams that were imported through Ostia harbour – all these combined with thousands of hours of labour made this massive structure possible!
BUILT BY
VESPASIAN, TITUS, DOMITIAN
Construction of the Colosseum began under the Roman emperor Vespasian between 70 and 72 CE. The completed structure was dedicated in 80 CE by Titus, Vespasian’s son and successor. The Colosseum’s fourth story was added by the emperor Domitian in 82 CE. Importantly, the arena was paid for with plunder from Titus’s sack of Jerusalem in 70 CE, and it was built by enslaved Jews from Judaea.
ENTERTAIN
The Colosseum was built as part of an imperial effort to revitalize Rome after the tumultuous year of the four emperors, 69 CE. As with other amphitheatres, the emperor Vespasian intended the Colosseum to be an entertainment venue, hosting gladiator fights, animal hunts, and even mock naval battles.
DECLINE
The Colosseum fell into serious disrepair after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. During the 12th century, the Frangipane and Annibaldi families repurposed the arena to function as their fortress. In the late 15th century, Pope Alexander VI permitted the Colosseum to be used as a quarry. After over a thousand years of neglect, state-funded restoration efforts began in the 1990s.
TODAY
It’s an iconic reminder of Ancient Rome – The Colosseum stands as a reminder to all that this was once the center of one of the world’s greatest empires. Its grandeur reflects Roman engineering prowess and their ability to create something so enduring even after centuries have passed.
It serves as a tourist attraction - Tourists flock from around the globe to experience what life must have been like for Romans living in ancient times, making it an invaluable part of Italy's tourism industry.
It has inspired many works throughout history- Numerous artists, writers and filmmakers have drawn inspiration from this majestic structure when creating their own works; some examples include Gladiator (2000), Asterix at The Olympic Games (2008), or Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy (1320).
It provides insight into how our ancestors lived- By studying artifacts found within its walls we can gain valuable insights into how people lived during antiquity; everything from clothing styles to religious practices can be gleaned by examining these items up close!
It preserves cultural heritage - As well as providing us with tangible evidence about past cultures, preserving sites such as this ensures that future generations will also benefit from them by being able to appreciate them first hand rather than merely through books or films!
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SPECS
Structure
Weight
elliptical
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Made of
Cargo
Stone, concrete and Tuff
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Height
Displays
Four floors
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Dimensions
Warranty
189 by 156 metres
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Capacity
50,000 spectators
Use
Gladiator fights
Colosseum, or Coliseum. Rome, Italy.
The Colosseum is immensely important today as a historical, cultural and architectural marvel. It contributes to tourism, the economy, education, research and conservation, making it a globally recognised symbol of Roman civilisation and an iconic landmark of Rome.