Colosseo

The Colosseum is another of those must-visit-places. Then again, it seems as though Rome is full of places which can't be missed. Construction was begun in 72 AD by the emperor Vespasian and completed in 80 AD by Titus, both members of the Flavian family, Hence, its original name, the Flavian Amphitheater. It is the largest such amphitheater in the Roman empire. It was built on the site of a giant, man-made pond which was part of the humongous palace of emperor Nero. As suggested yesterday, when the Romans didn't like someone, they wiped out all signs of him in a BIG way. Thus they buried parts of Nero's palace, referred to as the Golden Palace, and built on the site of much that was left. The structure was nicknamed the Colosseum due to the colossal gilded figure of Nero that stood in the adjacent square.

The structure itself is a testament to ancient Roman engineering skills and understanding of people. It could seat thousands of people, allowing them to enter and exit with ease which would be envied by modern stadiums and arenas. Evidence suggests that it was hung with a giant canopy, manned by sailors, which provided shade at all times for the wealthiest patrons and their guests. The existing ruins, impressive as they are, are but a shadow of the former majesty.

The interior of the amphitheater is more a suggestion of the skeleton of the structure rather than the finished building. The central floor, now gone would have provided a platform for all manner of games and entertainment: fights with beasts, reenactments of major battles, public executions and gladitorial combat. Some evidence suggests that the area was even flooded for the reenactment of a naval victory. The intricate network of corridors and rooms is now exposed to view. These would have been the holding pens for humans and animals alike as well as the machinery to hoist them onto stage. There were also places for butchering animals so that the fresh meat from the slaughter could be distributed to the people of Rome.

Below is a picture taken looking down into what would have been below the lowest seating level.

A panoramic view reveals the elliptical shape of the building.

The exposed skeleton gives direct evidence of the broad passages which were been used to move people around the building.

Finally, a picture of Amy, taken on the second level of the Colosseum, with the Arch of Constantine in the backgraound.