The Flavian Amphitheater (AKA The Colosseum)

The Colosseum is probably the most impressive building of the Roman Empire. It was originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, and was the largest building of the era. It measures approximately 620 feet by 510 feet and stands about 158 feet tall. Basically it is not much smaller than a football stadium today. It could hold 55,000 spectators and had about 80 entrances. There are 4 stories above ground, and below ground were rooms with mechanical devices and cages holding wild animals. The cages could be hoisted up allowing the animals to appear in the middle of the arena.

Emperor Vespasian started construction in 72, and it was completed in 80. It was built on the site of an artificial lake, part of Nero's huge park in the center of Rome.

Emperors used the Colosseum to entertain the public with free games. They were a symbol of prestige and a way for the emperor to increase his popularity. They usually started with comedy acts, and displays of exotic animals, and then ended with fights to the death between animals and gladiators, or between gladiators. These fighters were usually slaves, prisoners of war, or condemned criminals.

The south side of the Colosseum was knocked down in an earthquake in 847 and parts of the building, including the old marble were used for the construction of other monuments, Including St. Peter's Basilica.

Below are some pictures, they pretty much tell the story on their own, so I am not going to caption them. There are some that show a rebuilt floor over the catacombs below, so you can get an idea of where the ground was and what it was built over. Enjoy, and keep tuning in.