The Colossuem
The Colosseum, also know as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is located just east of the Roman Forum, in Regio IV Templum Pacis or "Region 4: Temple of Peace". (a bit ironic, considering gladiator fights were held there)
Construction
Construction of the Colosseum was started under rule of Emperor Vespasian around 70-72 BC, funded with the spoils of the Jewish temple after the Siege of Jerusalem. 3 stories of the Colosseum had been completed by the time of Vespasian's death in 79 BC. The top level was finished and inaugurated in 80 BC by Vespasian's son, Titus. There was further remodeling by Vespasian's other son, Domitian, who constructed the hypogea. (see below)
Archetecture
The Colosseum is very much like common sports stadiums. There were several tiers with balconies, each for a different social class (Romans really liked segregation)
It is estimated that the Colosseum could hold 50,000 people, (similar to modern stadiums) but this book, published in 354 AD for a rich Christian, says it could hold 87,000 people (more than many sports stadiums today)
There are tunnels, called hypogea, than run underneath the Colosseum. These were used for transporting contestants (victims) to the Colosseum. One hypogeum is directly connected to the Ludus Magnus, a gladiator training center. |
Events held
The Colosseum is most famously used for gladiator fighting, (see my other free choice page) but this painting...
...depicts a group of Christians praying as a lion walks towards them. It is disputed whether or not Christians were killed at the Colosseum, (the painting above was painted in 1883) as there is nothing in Christian records saying this.
The Colosseum was also used for public entertainment (other than gladiator fighting, that is) such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, and re-enactments of famous battles.
The Colosseum was also used for public entertainment (other than gladiator fighting, that is) such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, and re-enactments of famous battles.