Not only does the Roman Colosseum appear to be one of the world's most beautiful and classical monuments, it also represents such immense power from thousands of years ago. The Roman Colosseum is an oval amphitheatre that is located in the city of Rome, Italy, just east of Palatine Hill. It is considered one of the most grand works of architecture and engineering. The Colosseum is a freestanding architecture of stone and concrete, contrary to most earlier amphitheatres which were all nearly dug into hillsides for additional support. (Cartwright, 2012) The Colosseum was the largest building of its kind during that time. It consisted of four stories along with a height of 150 feet. (Cartwright, 2012) It is 48 meters high and 545 meters in circumference
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It was renamed the "Colosseum" due to the statue of Nero, which was nearby and called the "Colossus." (Poma, 2015) Before the Colosseum was constructed, the site used to be the artificial lake and gardens of Emperor Nero's Golden House, which was the centrepiece of that palace. Emperor Vespasian was the first to start the construction work on the Colosseum, which had begun back in 70 AD. (Dutemple, 2003) He had chosen to change the lake to a public amphitheatre that could, and would, entertain thousands of people. Then, in 72 CE during the reign of Vespasian was when the construction of the Roman Colosseum had first began. In 80 CE, the Colosseum was officially opened, which was during the reign of Vespasian's son Titus, but there were many improvements made later during the reign of Vespasian's youngest son, Domitian. Emperor Vespasian, Titus, and Emperor Domitian all make up the Flavian Dynasty, which is why the Colosseum was originally known as the "Flavian Amphitheatre." ("Colosseum," …show more content…
To win over Roman people, he decided to build the amphitheater where gladiator games would be held. (Dutemple, 2003) It was demanded by Emperor Vespesian that the Colosseum is to be built on the site of Nero's palace, so he could alienate himself from the hated tyrant. He thought by orchestrating dangerous and destructive combats of gladiators and extreme animal fights for public social viewing, that he would earn fame and popularity. In just 80 AD, about 9000 animals were killed in the fights that he had staged. (Hopkins, 1983) The completion of the Colesseum was under the reign of Domitian, who added the top story of the building. (Cartwright, 2012)
Many different materials and raw materials were used in building the Colosseum. Concrete being one of the most used material for it. A light volcanic rock called Tufa was used for the inner walls of the Colosseum. (Lancaster, 2005) On the outer walls of the Colosseum, each story was decorated with something different. The first was decorated with Tusan columns, the second story columns are Ionic, and the third and fourth stories are Corinthian. The fifth and final story was more of a flat pilaster. (Lancaster,
It was renamed the "Colosseum" due to the statue of Nero, which was nearby and called the "Colossus." (Poma, 2015) Before the Colosseum was constructed, the site used to be the artificial lake and gardens of Emperor Nero's Golden House, which was the centrepiece of that palace. Emperor Vespasian was the first to start the construction work on the Colosseum, which had begun back in 70 AD. (Dutemple, 2003) He had chosen to change the lake to a public amphitheatre that could, and would, entertain thousands of people. Then, in 72 CE during the reign of Vespasian was when the construction of the Roman Colosseum had first began. In 80 CE, the Colosseum was officially opened, which was during the reign of Vespasian's son Titus, but there were many improvements made later during the reign of Vespasian's youngest son, Domitian. Emperor Vespasian, Titus, and Emperor Domitian all make up the Flavian Dynasty, which is why the Colosseum was originally known as the "Flavian Amphitheatre." ("Colosseum," …show more content…
To win over Roman people, he decided to build the amphitheater where gladiator games would be held. (Dutemple, 2003) It was demanded by Emperor Vespesian that the Colosseum is to be built on the site of Nero's palace, so he could alienate himself from the hated tyrant. He thought by orchestrating dangerous and destructive combats of gladiators and extreme animal fights for public social viewing, that he would earn fame and popularity. In just 80 AD, about 9000 animals were killed in the fights that he had staged. (Hopkins, 1983) The completion of the Colesseum was under the reign of Domitian, who added the top story of the building. (Cartwright, 2012)
Many different materials and raw materials were used in building the Colosseum. Concrete being one of the most used material for it. A light volcanic rock called Tufa was used for the inner walls of the Colosseum. (Lancaster, 2005) On the outer walls of the Colosseum, each story was decorated with something different. The first was decorated with Tusan columns, the second story columns are Ionic, and the third and fourth stories are Corinthian. The fifth and final story was more of a flat pilaster. (Lancaster,