Colosseum
Colosseum, or Coliseum, a huge amphitheater of ancient Rome. Its name, from the Latin colossus,meaning "gigantic," was given to it either because of its vast size or because of the colossal statue of Nero that originally stood nearby. The Colosseum was built between the Palatine and Esquiline hills, near the southeast end of the Roman Forum. Much of the structure is still standing, giving some idea of its past glory.
The Colosseum was the greatest amphitheater built by the Romans. Like other Roman amphitheaters, it was designed as a place for gladiatorial combats and other amusements.
The amphitheater was an oval structure, built mostly of stone and concrete, about 615 feet (187 m) long and 510 feet (155 m) wide. Its four stories rose about 160 feet (49 m) from the ground. The first three stories were arcades of 80 arches each. On the ground level the supporting columns were of the Tuscan order, a Roman style resembling the Greek Doric. The columns on the second story were Ionic, and those on the third were Corinthian. The fourth story was solid, decorated with Corinthian pilasters (rectangular pillars).
Inside, tiers of marble seats, capable of holding 45,000 to 50,000 spectators, surrounded the central area, or arena,where the spectacles took place.
HistoryThe Colosseum was begun by Emperor Vespasian in 72 A.D. Titus dedicated it in 80 A.D., and two years later Domitian completed it. Until the Middle Ages, it was known as the Flavian Amphitheater, Flavius being the family name of these three emperors.
The Colosseum was used for public entertainment until the early sixth century. Then, for 12 centuries it was neglected, and its stone and ornaments were taken for other buildings. When this destruction was stopped, only about a third of the wall, on the north side, still stood in all its four stories. All its marble, stucco, and metal decorations were gone.