Coliseum

Colosseum Rome

The Coliseum (Colosseum) is probably the most known symbol of Rome. Commissioned by the Emperor Vespasian in A.D. 72 it was erected in the site of a little lake in the area of Nero's Domus Aurea (golden house). Next to the Anfiteatro Flavio, this is its original name, used to stand an enormous statue of Nero and probably the Stadium was named "Coliseum" after this enormous statue (called “Colossus”). The Coliseum, in its glorious days, held 55.000 spectators who gathered there through 80 entrances (called “Vomitorium”) to enjoy the deadly fights of Gladiators, usually prisoners of war, who fought amongst themselves and against wild animals to gain freedom. Underneath the Arena there was a network of corridors that enabled the animals to appear directly into the stadium. Those animals were brought in Rome from Africa, and it is said that, for the 1000th anniversary of the founding of the city, in AD 248, hundreds of lions, zebras and elephants were slaughtered for the joy of the Romans. After the fall of the Roman Empire the Coliseum fell into ruin. It was closed with gates and its marble cover was taken and used in the building of several churches in Rome. Luckily most of the structure survived, even though highly damaged, and still shines in its entire splendour!

Panorama - Coliseo romano
by fotoramas

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