Friday, February 24, 2012

Colosseum In Rome:All About the Colosseum in Rome, Italy

By John Roney


One of the most iconic images of Rome is the colosseum. Construction began on it in 70 and 72 AD and was complete about 8 years later in 80AD. Its purpose was not only to be an amphitheatre to seat 50,000 spectators, it was also designed to impress the thousands of people who would travel far and wide to come and stare at this astonishing building. Being one of the most visited hotspots in the city means that even today, people travel miles to come and see what is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture.

It was originally named the Amphitheatrum Flavium after the Flavian emperors Vespasian, Titus and Domitian, who instructed and observed its construction (between 72 and 80AD). The Colosseum was a gift to the free Roman citizens and was erected on the grounds where the previous Emperor Nero had built his own residence, the Domus Aurea. It was used as a recreational ground where the Romans would be entertained.

The most popular and well-known games were the hunts (venationes) and the gladiatorial fights (munera), which either involved gladiator against gladiator, or gladiator against wild beast. As a venue, the Colosseum was able to accommodate an incredible 55,000 spectators and had far in excess of 50 entrances. Originally covered in marble, the structure was four storeys high and measured an impressive 188 meters by 156 meters.

During the Middle Ages, the Colosseum was converted into a fortress and the marble was burned used to make quicklime. During the Renaissance period, but mostly in the Baroque age, the ruling Roman families (from which many Popes of the Catholic Church came from) used it as a source of marble for the construction of St. Peters Basilica you see today.

The access to the Colosseum In Rome is very limited at the moment. You can go up to the second level and get a reasonably good view, but the third and fourth tier have been off limits to the public since the 1960's. In the past it wasn't good if you got a seat at the very top, but these days the views that are on offer are incredible and this is the level us tourists want to be.




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