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Colosseum of RomeThe Colosseum is an impressive ancient ampitheater, built by the Flavian Emperor Vespasian in AD 80 and was the scene of many bloody gladiatorial fights and wild animal slaughter. Today, if you pass between the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine, you may see men dressed in gladiator costume acting like real bullfighters but only for the visitors’ amusement. The term amphitheater derives from the Greek “amphi” (on both sides) and “theatron” (semicircular viewing place or theater). The marble structure is perhaps the best preserved among the other monuments of ancient Rome, built to hold 87,000 spectators to witness the bloody contests from all sides of the action. Moreover, the tallest Roman structure has the capacity for several hundred fighting animals. In ancient times, the Colosseum was about 160 feet high and spread out at about six acres territory. It had 64 numbered doors to let spectators in and out, called vomitoria. According to some historical facts, the Romans held some mock sea battles in the Flavian Amphitheater. Another curious fact is that substructures were found under the fighting area that probably had been animal dens or channels for the water for or from the mock naval battles. Especially for the spectators, a removable awning called velarium was provided to protect them with shade from the sun. The three rows of arches outside of the Flavian amphitheater were built according to a different order of architecture: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. During the different centuries, the building of the Colosseum has passed through various modifications and restorations. Thus, it burnt down by fire in 1st century AD. In 72 AD Emperor Vespasian commissioned the Colloseum of Rome as an entertainment centre and 6 years after that his son, Emperor Titus opened the nearly completed Colloseum of Rome with 100 consecutive days of public events, including violent gladiator fights and theatre productions. In 3rd century AD the Colloseum of Rome was restored after being seriously damaged by another fire. In 5th century AD Emperor Honorius outlawed the gladiator death duels and after that the Western Roman Empire fell to the Goths and the spectacles at the Colloseum of Rome ceased. In the Middle Ages the Rome’s amphitheatre deteriorated and some years later local construction firms quarried some of the large stone building blocks for use in other historic sites, including St. Peter’s Basilica. Coming to 19th century AD, the Pope supported the idea for the restoration of the Colloseum of Rome for preserving it for future generations. By Diana at 4 Jul 2006 - 7:28pm | Places in Rome | Diana's blog | login or register to post comments |
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