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The Colosseum. By Jordan Browne. The Colosseum. Originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre It is the biggest amphitheatre in the Roman world. It covers 6 acres of land It was built for entertainment, especially bloodsport . History. It was designed by Vaspasian and Titus
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The Colosseum By Jordan Browne
The Colosseum • Originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre • It is the biggest amphitheatre in the Roman world. • It covers 6 acres of land • It was built for entertainment, especially bloodsport.
History • It was designed by Vaspasian and Titus • It began under the power of emperor Vaspasian ( 69 -79 B.C) • It was completed under his son Titus ( 79 – 81 B.C) • The structure took 8 years to build • It is considered one of the best examples of Roman engineering in history.
Description • It is 189m long, and 156m wide. • It is 48m high • It was oval in shape • It had three storeys of arcades ( galleries) • It had tunnels under the arena to keep animals for fighting and prisoners for executions.
Construction • It was built of bricks concrete and stone covering. • It was built on an artificial lake, created by emperor Nero in a valley. • It had a canvas roof that could be raised and lowered on ropes.
The Arena • Comes from the latinword “harena” – sand • The arena is 87m long, and 55m wide • Modern estimates say it seated 50,000 people • The arena floor was wooden and covered in sand • Lifts from the tunnels under the arena brought animals up to be killed • The arena could be flooded by a nearby aqueduct for mock naval battles
Arena Seating • The seating was in tiers according to Roman society. • At opposite ends of the arena were two boxes. • One box was for the Emperor of Rome • The other was for the Vestal virgins • On either side of these were platforms for the Senators • The tier above the Senators was for nobles and knights
Seating continued • The top level was for ordinary citizens • This level was divided into lower for the rich and upper for the poor. • Men and women were seated apart • Some groups of people were banned completely such as grave diggers, undertakers, actors and former Gladiators
Events held in the Colosseum • The Romans enjoyed watching violent things • Mock naval battles • Gladiator fights • Animal fights • Executions • Public speaking • Fights were to the death
Facts......... • The Colosseum has been standing for 1931 years • The second biggest amphitheatre is called Capua • The third is El Jam • The Colosseum was used as an army barracks in the 6th century • It is now preserved as a historic monument
