Innovations+-+Colosseum

Colosseum

History

The construction of the Colosseum started between A.D 70-72. It happened during the reign of the Roman emperor Vespasian; Vespasian was the first emperor of the Flavian Dynasty. The Colosseum was first called the Flavian Amphitheater because it was made during the Flavian Dynasty. The Colosseum got its name because in Roman terms it means big. Vespasian wanted to erase everything that Nero built, and build his Colosseum over it. The opening of the Colosseum was opened on A.D 80. It took about 9-10 years to build the Colosseum. Titus the son of Vespasian held an opening ceremony on the day of the opening of the Colosseum, the ceremony included 100 days of games, the ceremony had acrobats, jugglers, and other kinds of circus like performers. The goal of the Colosseum was to hold thousands of public games, last longer than the empire, and become one of the lasting symbols of Rome.

The Colosseum was built for holding sporting events but mainly for gladiators. Sometimes the Romans would flood the Colosseum to simulate a battle in the sea. The Colosseum was abandoned by the tenth century. Over the year the Colosseum was damaged by the lightning from the storms, and from other Roman workers taking pieces of the Colosseum to use for other buildings.

Architecture

The Colosseum was the first amphitheater that was self-supporting unlike the old amphitheaters, which were dug into hills. The Colosseum still lasts till this day because of its support of the stones and concrete. The Colosseum still lasts till this day because of its support of the stones and concrete. The Colosseum is 4 stories high, and oval shaped. It is 157 feet high and 620 feet long. The arena floor of the Colosseum is 285 feet long and 510 feet wide. The arena floor was made out of wood and spread with sand because it would absorb the bloodshed from the gladiators.

By Stephan Outline:

Colosseum

History

The construction

Who started it?

Architecture

Works Cited Classics. 6 Nov. 2007 <[|http://classics.uc.edu/~johnson/hum98/slides/set3/Roman%20Architecture/slide13.jpg>.]

“Colosseum.” Hum 120 Web Links. 6 Nov. 2007 <[|http://www.oakton.edu/user/~azumfeld/HUM120weblinks.htm>.]

“The Colosseum, Rome.” Tickitaly. 1 Nov. 2007 <[|http://www.tickitaly.com/galleries/colosseum-rome-italy.php>.]

Nardo, Don. Roman Amphitheaters. Canada: Franklin Watts, 2002.

“Colosseum." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. 7 Nov. 2007  `q