Day 6 - The Colosseum

It's already been a full morning so why not finish out the day at the Colosseum.

The Colosseum is the most recognizable and iconic monument in Rome. This grand stadium was constructed by Flavian enperors. Construction of the Colosseum was begun sometime between 70 and 72 BC during the reign of Vespasian. It is located just east of the Palatine Hill, on the grounds of what was Nero's Golden House, which was destroyed in the grest fire of Rome in 64 AD. The artificial lake that was the centrepiece of that palace complex was drained, and the Colosseum was sited there, a decision that was as much symbolic as it was practical. Vespasian, whose path to the throne had relatively humble beginnings, chose to replace the tyrannical emperor’s private lake with a public amphitheatre that could host tens of thousands of Romans.

The structure was officially dedicated in 80 BC by Titus in a ceremony that included 100 days of games. Later, in 82 BC, Domitian completed the work by adding the uppermost story. Unlike earlier amphitheatres, which were nearly all dug into convenient hillsides for extra support, the Colosseum is a freestanding structure of stone and concrete, using a complex system of barrel vaults and groin vaults and measuring 620 by 513 feet overall. Three of the arena’s stories are encircled by arcades framed on the exterior by engaged columns in the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian orders. The main structural framework and facade are Travertine, the secondary walls are volcanic tufa, and the inner bowl and the arcade vaults are concrete.

The amphitheatre seated some 50,000 spectators, who were shielded from the sun by retractable velarium (awning). Supporting masts extended from corbels built into the Colosseum’s top, and hundreds of Roman sailors were required to manipulate the rigging that extended and retracted the velarium. The Colosseum was the scene of thousands of hand-to-hand combats between gladiators, of contests between men and animals.

Today we see what is left of this grand structure. The floor is gone now, so you can see the lower rooms that once housed men, animals, and stage props for the shows hosted in the amphitheatre. Through the use of trap doors and mechanical rigging objects were moved from the underground area to the arena floor, appearing like magic.

The Colosseum is still the largest amphitheatre in the world. It was recently chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

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