Colosseum Rome

Colosseum is the largest Amphitheatre in the world. It is also known as Flavian Amphitheatre. It is located in the center of the city Rome, Italy. It was built by Roman Empire. Construction of the Colosseum began in 70 AD under the rule of Vespasian and completed in 80 AD under the eye of his successor and heir Titus. Between 81 and 96, further modifications were done by Domitian. These three emperors are known as the Flavian Dynasty, so the amphitheatre was named Flavius in Latin.

 

Purpose of Construction:

Colosseum was built for entertainment. It holds 50,000 seats for spectators. These seats were secured according to social status. It was used for animal hunts, executions, gladiatorial, Mock sea battles, and dramas based on classical mythology. Later, it was used for housing, workshops, fortress, quarry and christian shrine.

 

Architecture of Colosseum:

It is considered as one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. It is an elliptical amphitheatre that was built with concrete and stone.It is 189 meters long and 156 meters wide along with 6 acres of base area. The height of outer wall is 48 meters. The center arena is an oval 87 meter long and 55 meter wide. The arena was covering an underground structure that was called hypogeum. The hypogeum was connected by underground tunnels. Animals and performers were brought through these tunnels.

It was ringed by 80 entrances at ground level, 76 of which were used by ordinary spectators. The northern main entrance was reserved for the Roman Emperor and his aides. The rest of the three entrances were used by elites. Each entrance and exit was numbered and had a staircase. All four axial entrances were richly decorated than the other 76. A big portion of this building is collapsed due to earthquakes over the centuries.

 

UNESCO :

It was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.  Moreover, in 2007 New Open World Corporation (NOWC) organized a competition for new seven wonders of the world in which it was  included.

Tourist attraction:

 It is the biggest tourist attraction in Rome. Millions of visitors visit here annually. All Europeans below sixteen or above sixty-five are allowed to visit it for free, but other people have to pay to visit it.

Take a Video to the Colosseum

Who are allow to visit Colosseum for free?

References

Colosseum aerial-back. (n.d.). Colosseum pretty place [Image file]. Retrieved from http://prettyplaces.net/colosseum/#_

Colosseum. (2014, February 21). Retrieved February 23, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum

Colosseum_Combat. (2014). The Colosseum had many fights to the death [Image file]. Retrieved from http://rothsteinsullivan.wikispaces.com/Rome+10

Inside the Colosseum 1, Best of Europe, 2007. (n.d.). Inside picture of Colosseum [Image file]. Retrieved from http://www.dudziak.com/picture.php/inside_the_colosseum_14121

Steves, R. (2013, May 29). Rome, Italy: The Colosseum [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaSbYIeqGWg


Tourists At The Colosseum. (2014). Tourists waiting in queue in front of the Colosseum [Image file]. Retrieved from http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-image-tourists-colosseum-rome-image21901956