Evaluate the impact of the construction of the Colosseum, otherwise known as the Amphitheatrum Flavium, on the Roman Empire.
The Colosseum, or Amphitheatrum Flavium, is the largest amphitheatre in the world, and was constructed from 70-79AD by Emperor Vespasian as a gift to the Roman people, before its completion by his successor and heir Titus in 80AD. Within it, a multitude of games and events were staged for the many days of celebration within the Roman calendar, as well as events for public entertainment. The construction of the Colosseum had both a significant positive and negative impact on the Roman Empire, in a political and social context. Vespasian’s rule was solidified within the Empire and the end of Nero’s tyrannical reign signalled …show more content…
By removing this structure and replacing it with the Colosseum, Vespasian reclaimed the land for the Roman plebs, as well as creating the new ‘heart’ of the city. In doing this, the end of Nero’s reign was emphasised, and Martial wrote “thanks to Caesar’s goodwill the people take their pleasure where once the tyrant did” (101 gladiators). In order to demonstrate unity under - and political alignment with - Vespasian, close copies of the Colosseum were constructed throughout the Roman Empire, in places like Puteoli, Verona, Arles and Nîmes (117 gladiators) (1 addendum). One historian, Fik Meijer, described the creation of these copies as the organisation of an emperor cult (117), demonstrating the intense nature of this alignment, but also the positive influence that Vespasian had on the citizens of the Empire, as he had unified and improved the Empire through his
The Colosseum, or Amphitheatrum Flavium, is the largest amphitheatre in the world, and was constructed from 70-79AD by Emperor Vespasian as a gift to the Roman people, before its completion by his successor and heir Titus in 80AD. Within it, a multitude of games and events were staged for the many days of celebration within the Roman calendar, as well as events for public entertainment. The construction of the Colosseum had both a significant positive and negative impact on the Roman Empire, in a political and social context. Vespasian’s rule was solidified within the Empire and the end of Nero’s tyrannical reign signalled …show more content…
By removing this structure and replacing it with the Colosseum, Vespasian reclaimed the land for the Roman plebs, as well as creating the new ‘heart’ of the city. In doing this, the end of Nero’s reign was emphasised, and Martial wrote “thanks to Caesar’s goodwill the people take their pleasure where once the tyrant did” (101 gladiators). In order to demonstrate unity under - and political alignment with - Vespasian, close copies of the Colosseum were constructed throughout the Roman Empire, in places like Puteoli, Verona, Arles and Nîmes (117 gladiators) (1 addendum). One historian, Fik Meijer, described the creation of these copies as the organisation of an emperor cult (117), demonstrating the intense nature of this alignment, but also the positive influence that Vespasian had on the citizens of the Empire, as he had unified and improved the Empire through his