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The “Flavian Amphitheater”, also known as the Colosseum, is capable of seating 55,000 spectators. Deadly gladiatorial and wild animals fights were staged for free by the emperor and wealthy citizens for the masses.
Commissioned by the Emperor Vespasian between 70 and 72 AD, it was completed in 80 AD by his son Domitian. It was built on a marshy site of a lake near Nero’s enormous palace, there was a very tall statue (a colossus) of Nero nearby, from which legend says the Colosseum’s name was originated from. Later it was destroyed in the great fire of Rome.
The Colosseum was designed in such a clever way that it has been said that most today’s stadiums have been inspired by the concepts introduced in the Colosseum’s building structure. In less than finve minutes it could have been evacuated.
The Colosseum had a very innovative cooling system for that time. It was roofed using a canvas covered net-like structure made of ropes, it had a hole in the center to provide a breeze for the people attending.
The Colosseum also had a feature called “vomitoria” – a passageway that leads to a row of seats from below or behind. The vomitoria of the Colosseum in Rome were designed so that the massive venue could fill in 15 minutes. (80 gates at ground level, 76 for general public and 4 for the imperial family.) An incredibly magnificent architectural development for its time. The building itself is also of great beauty and design.
The Colosseum was also transformed, in the Middle Ages, into a fortress and some marble was burned used to make quicklime. During the Renaissance, and even more in the Baroque age, the ruling Roman families (from which many Popes of the Catholic Church came from) used Colosseum’s marble for the construction of Saint Peters Basilica.
Colosseum area is now a beautiful and lively neighborhood in Rome, in the very city center and walking distance from any other top tourist attraction in Rome.
Tags: Europe
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