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The Colosseum of Rome, Italy The Colosseum or the Flavian Amphitheater was built in only 5 years during the reign of Vespasian (75 AD) and was completed and opened by Titus in 80 AD. The amphitheater is an oval in form. Its length is 188 meters, its width is 156 meters and its height is 52 meters. The outside ring has survived only on the northern side, which is divided into 4 levels. The first 3 levels had 80 arches and the forth level, which was Formed by 80 panels dotted with alternating windows and 3 brackets in each square. Their brackets were used to hold the wooden beams to which the large linen awning used to protect spectators from sun and rain. There were 4 main entrances. The entrances on the longer axis were for the gladiators. The Colosseum could hold up to 73,000 spectators. Entering the amphitheater today, what is immediately striking is the enormous maze of corridors, which originally were not visible. There are in fact underground, below the arena, covered with wood flooring and used to keep equipment and wild beasts. The Colosseum was used for gladiator combat (munera) and battles against or between wild animals (venations). Over the centuries, the gladiator combat continued to be important offerings to the community, for the reasons that included their use as political propaganda. Gladiators were selected from those condemned to death, prisoners of war and slaves, but could also be free men. The combatants fought until one of them was killed, although the loser was permitted to ask for mercy. The last spectacle held in the Colosseum was during the reign of Theodoric in 523 AD. The Colosseum was the first permanent amphitheater to be built in Rome. Its monumental size and grandeur make it one of the great architectural monuments achieved by ancient Romans. |
 
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