The Colosseum, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, is a huge amphitheater in the center of Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and stone, it was the largest amphitheater in the Roman Empire, and is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. It is now one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions.
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What Is the Colosseum Famous For?
The Colosseum is known to be the largest amphitheater in the Roman world. It is also known to be where gladiator contests and public performances were held. These events involved naval battles, animal hunts, executions, sports, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on classical mythology.
The building eventually ceased to be used for entertainment in the early Middle Ages. It was later reused for such purposes as residences, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry (sadly) and a Christian sanctuary.
How Many People Died in the Colosseum?
The first recorded games in the Colosseum took place in 80 AD, and it is believed that around 4,000 animals were slaughtered during these initial games. It is estimated that over 500,000 people and 1 million animals died in the Colosseum during its active life.
How Many Seats Are There at the Colosseum?
The Colosseum is estimated to have held between 50,000 and 80,000 seats at all times, making it the largest amphitheater in the world for over 1,500 years. In comparison, the average modern stadium holds no more than 60,000 to 70,000 spectators.
How Many Floors Does the Colosseum Have?
The Colosseum has four floors, each with arches that originally supported a wooden floor. Each floor supported 80 arches, which is one of the reasons the building is so recognizable today.
When Was the Colosseum Built in Rome?
The construction of the Colosseum in Rome began in 72 AD, and it was located on the site of a former lake that had been drained and filled with soil.
A Roman Emperor Began the Building of the Colosseum
The construction of the Colosseum was started by the Roman emperor Vespasian. Unfortunately, Vespasian died before the Colosseum’s 4th floor was finished. Fortunately, his son Titus took over as emperor and completed the Colosseum quite shortly after Vespasian’s death.
Bread and Circus for the People
The purpose of building the Colosseum was, as an old quote says, to give “bread and circus to the people.” The rationale of Emperor Vespasian when he built the Colosseum was probably that if he kept the citizens happy with food and entertainment, they were less likely to rebel.
Without entertainment, people can become very restless, and we all know what happens when we are hungry – we can quickly become angry. Therefore, many types of entertainment were arranged in the Colosseum; usually with a lot of blood.
The most popular of these were gladiator fights between slaves who had been trained in gladiator schools. The fights often ended in the death of one of the parties, but if both gladiators had done a good job of entertaining the people, then the loser’s life could be spared if the emperor approved.
When Was the Colosseum Finished?
The Colosseum was completed in AD 80, brought to a finish by Vespasian’s son Titus, who had succeeded him as Emperor of Rome.
How Long Did It Take To Build the Colosseum?
It took eight years to build the Colosseum, from 72 to 80 AD. It is estimated that over 100,000 slaves were used to erect this massive structure, testifying to the incredible scale of work it required.
What Did the Colosseum Look Like When It Was First Built?
The Colosseum would have been a very impressive structure when it was first built. It would have been made for the most part of stone and marble, with 80 arches on each floor and four floors in total. The exterior would have been decorated with statues and reliefs. The interior would have been brightly painted, with seating arranged in a tiered system so that everyone could see.
When Was the Colosseum Destroyed?
The Colosseum was destroyed by an earthquake in the Early Middle Ages. The first recorded earthquake damage to the Colosseum occurred in 443 AD. This was followed by a series of earthquakes in the 8th century, which caused further damage.
By the 13th century, the Colosseum had been abandoned and was used as a quarry for building materials. In 1749, Pope Benedict XIV consecrated the Colosseum as a church, which helped preserve it. However, further earthquakes in the 19th and early 20th centuries caused further damage.
Summary
The Colosseum, located in Rome, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. Built nearly 2,000 years ago, this massive structure was used for a variety of purposes, including public executions and animal hunting.
The Colosseum is a large ellipsoidal arena built of concrete and stone. It is the largest amphitheater in the world, and can accommodate up to 80,000 spectators. The arena floor was made of wood, and was covered with sand to absorb blood and gore during executions and hunts.
Over time, the Colosseum fell into disrepair. It was damaged by earthquakes, weather and looting. In the Middle Ages it was used as a quarry and many of the stones were removed to build other structures. Today, the Colosseum is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rome, with over 4 million visitors each year. It is a symbol of the power and magnificence of the Roman Empire.