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| The '''Colosseum''', originally known as the '''Flavian Amphitheater''', is an ] in ], capable of seating 45,000 spectators, which was once used for ] ]. | The '''Colosseum''', originally known as the '''Flavian Amphitheater''', is an ] in ], capable of seating 45,000 spectators, which was once used for ]ial ]. | ||
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| Its construction began under the Emperor ], circa ] A.D. and was completed by his son, ], in the ] A.D. It was built near the site of ]'s enormous ], the ], which had been built after the great fire of Rome in ]. There was a ''colossus'' (a very tall statue) of Nero nearby, from which legend says the Colosseum's name was derived. This statue was later remodeled by Nero's successors into the likeness of ] the sun god by adding the appropriate solar crown. | Its construction began under the Emperor ], circa ] A.D. and was completed by his son, ], in the ] A.D. It was built near the site of ]'s enormous ], the ], which had been built after the great fire of Rome in ]. There was a ''colossus'' (a very tall statue) of Nero nearby, from which legend says the Colosseum's name was derived. This statue was later remodeled by Nero's successors into the likeness of ] the sun god by adding the appropriate solar crown. | ||
| The Colosseum hosted large-scale spectacular games that included fights between animals, the killing of prisoners by animals and other ]s, naval battles, and combats between ]s. | The Colosseum hosted large-scale spectacular games that included fights between animals (''venationes''), the killing of prisoners by animals and other ]s (''noxii''), naval battles, and combats between ]s (''munera''). | ||
| The Colosseum was ingeniously designed. It has been said that most spectacle areas (]s, and similar) have been inspired by concepts expressed in the Colosseum's structure, even in modern times. |
The Colosseum was ingeniously designed. It has been said that most spectacle areas (]s, and similar) have been inspired by concepts expressed in the Colosseum's structure, even in modern times. Seating (''cavea'') was divided into different sections. The ''podium'', the first level of seating, was for the Roman senators, and the emperor's private box was also located on this level. Above the ''podium'' was the ''maenianum primum'', for the other Roman aristocrats who were not in the senate. The third level, the ''maenianum secundum'', was divided into three sections. The lower part (the ''immum'') was for wealthy citizens, while the upper part (the ''summum'') was for poor citizens. A third, wooden section (the ''maenianum secundum in legneis'') was a wooden structure at the very top of the building, added by Domitian. It was standing room only, and was for lower class women. | ||
| The most ingenious part of the Colosseum was its cooling system. It was roofed using a canvas covered net-like structure made of ropes, with a hole in the center. This roof sloped down towards the center to catch the wind and provide a breeze for the audience. The Colosseum also had ''vomitoria'' - a passageway that opens into a tier of seats from below or behind. The vomitoria of the Colosseum in Rome were designed so that the immense venue could fill in 15 minutes, and be evacuated in 5 minutes. Each entrance and exit was numbered, as was each staircase. (There were 80 entrances at ground level, 76 for ordinary spectators and 4 for the imperial family.) The vomitoria quickly dispersed people into their seats and upon conclusion of the event disgorged them with abruptness into the surrounding streets - giving rise, presumably, to the name. | |||
| ⚫ | In the ], |
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| The Colosseum measured 48 metres high, 188 metres long, and 156 metres wide. The wooden arena floor was 86 metres by 54 metres, and covered by sand to soak up blood. Underneath the arena was the ''hypogeum'', a network of tunnels and cages where gladiators and animals were held before contests began. There were also numerous trap doors in the arena floor for the various animals hidden underneath. The arena floor no longer exists, and the ''hypogeum'' is visible in the ruins of the building. | |||
| ⚫ | The Colosseum was in continuous use until ] when it was damaged by fire after it was struck by lightning. It was restored in ] and used for various purposes, mostly ''venationes'' in later years, until ]. In the ], it was severely damaged by an earthquake (]), and was then converted into a ]. The ] that originally covered it was burned to make ]. During the ], but mostly in the ] age, the ruling Roman families (from which many ]s of the Catholic Church came) used it as a source of marble for the construction of ] ] and the private ''Palazzi''. A famous description is in the saying ''Quod non fecerunt Barbari, fecerunt Barberini''; what the Barbarians weren't able to do, was done by the Barberinis (one such family). | ||
| As part of a campaign against the ] during the year ], the colosseum was illuminated with gold light for two days whenever a country abolished the death sentence or death sentences were commuted anywhere. This happened 17 times. | As part of a campaign against the ] during the year ], the colosseum was illuminated with gold light for two days whenever a country abolished the death sentence or death sentences were commuted anywhere. This happened 17 times. | ||
Revision as of 00:00, 26 July 2003
The Colosseum, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, is an amphitheater in Rome, capable of seating 45,000 spectators, which was once used for gladiatorial combat.
Colosseum in Rome, Italy
Its construction began under the Emperor Vespasian, circa 70 A.D. and was completed by his son, Domitian, in the 80s A.D. It was built near the site of Nero's enormous palace, the Domus Aurea, which had been built after the great fire of Rome in 64. There was a colossus (a very tall statue) of Nero nearby, from which legend says the Colosseum's name was derived. This statue was later remodeled by Nero's successors into the likeness of Sol the sun god by adding the appropriate solar crown.
The Colosseum hosted large-scale spectacular games that included fights between animals (venationes), the killing of prisoners by animals and other executions (noxii), naval battles, and combats between gladiators (munera).
The Colosseum was ingeniously designed. It has been said that most spectacle areas (stadiums, and similar) have been inspired by concepts expressed in the Colosseum's structure, even in modern times. Seating (cavea) was divided into different sections. The podium, the first level of seating, was for the Roman senators, and the emperor's private box was also located on this level. Above the podium was the maenianum primum, for the other Roman aristocrats who were not in the senate. The third level, the maenianum secundum, was divided into three sections. The lower part (the immum) was for wealthy citizens, while the upper part (the summum) was for poor citizens. A third, wooden section (the maenianum secundum in legneis) was a wooden structure at the very top of the building, added by Domitian. It was standing room only, and was for lower class women.
The most ingenious part of the Colosseum was its cooling system. It was roofed using a canvas covered net-like structure made of ropes, with a hole in the center. This roof sloped down towards the center to catch the wind and provide a breeze for the audience. The Colosseum also had vomitoria - a passageway that opens into a tier of seats from below or behind. The vomitoria of the Colosseum in Rome were designed so that the immense venue could fill in 15 minutes, and be evacuated in 5 minutes. Each entrance and exit was numbered, as was each staircase. (There were 80 entrances at ground level, 76 for ordinary spectators and 4 for the imperial family.) The vomitoria quickly dispersed people into their seats and upon conclusion of the event disgorged them with abruptness into the surrounding streets - giving rise, presumably, to the name.
The Colosseum measured 48 metres high, 188 metres long, and 156 metres wide. The wooden arena floor was 86 metres by 54 metres, and covered by sand to soak up blood. Underneath the arena was the hypogeum, a network of tunnels and cages where gladiators and animals were held before contests began. There were also numerous trap doors in the arena floor for the various animals hidden underneath. The arena floor no longer exists, and the hypogeum is visible in the ruins of the building.
The Colosseum was in continuous use until 217 when it was damaged by fire after it was struck by lightning. It was restored in 238 and used for various purposes, mostly venationes in later years, until 524. In the Middle Ages, it was severely damaged by an earthquake (847), and was then converted into a fortress. The marble that originally covered it was burned to make quicklime. During the Renaissance, but mostly in the Baroque age, the ruling Roman families (from which many Popes of the Catholic Church came) used it as a source of marble for the construction of St. Peters Basilica and the private Palazzi. A famous description is in the saying Quod non fecerunt Barbari, fecerunt Barberini; what the Barbarians weren't able to do, was done by the Barberinis (one such family).
As part of a campaign against the death penalty during the year 2000, the colosseum was illuminated with gold light for two days whenever a country abolished the death sentence or death sentences were commuted anywhere. This happened 17 times.