The Colosseum

 

Actually an amphitheater in the center of the city, the Colosseum in Rome was built by the Emperor Vespasian about 1941 years ago (AD 73) and completed by his son Titus. It still stands in the center of present day Rome.

How it was in the 1st century.

The area of land used by Vespasian had been used by Emperor Nero to build his extravagant palace. Demolishing the palace and replacing it with the amphitheater communicated to then Romans that Vespasian would return to them for entertainment the land taken forcefully by Nero.

The Colosseum served for gladiatorial fights, mock sea battles, animal games...It’s estimated to have had a capacity of about 60,000 people. It’s also called the Flavian amphitheater to honor the 3 emperors of the Flavian dynasty (Vespasian, Titus, Domitian) that built and completed it.

Tourist walking the interior.

The name “colosseum” most likely arose from the colossus built by Nero to present himself as a god which was relegated to the amphitheater’s backyard. A coin was made to commemorate the colosseum at its opening.

By the 3rd century, a major fire damaged the colosseum. A century later, gladiatorial fights were banned. Through the Middle Ages, it was occupied for various use. It’s interior suffered and couldn’t support events like before.

Now, it’s been persevered and it’s lighted up in gold anytime a death sentence is waived around the world to commemorate end to capital punishment.

Still in the center