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Coliseum of Rome
The imposing Colosseum of Rome was constructed in bricks and clad of travertine in a valley between the Palatino, Esquilino and Celio hills after having dried a small lake that Nerone was using for the Domus Aurea.
- The Building
The edifice with four floors, with a absolute height of 48.50 meters and an extension covering and elliptical area of approximately 19000 square meters, measures at the main axis 188m and at the minor one 156m. The first floor has 10.50m of height, with semi-pillars in Doric style, the second floors, higher of approximately two meters is made of ionic pillars, the third floor is 11.60m high, has Corinthian pillars while the fourth one is in bricks with small square windows.
- The Velarium
The Colosseum was covered with an immense awning called the velarium. The Velarium protected the beholders from the sun. It was anchored to The Colosseum at nightlarge poles on top of the Colosseum and anchored to the ground by large ropes. A group of around 1,000 men was used to put the awning.
- Food and Games
Emperors utilised the Colosseum to delight the public with free games. Those games were an emblem of prestige and power and they were a way for an emperor to obtain more popularity.
Games were reserved for a whole day or even many days of presentation. They generally Inside the Colosseum in Rome commenced with comical acts and displays of exotic animals and ended with fights to the death among animals and gladiators or among gladiators. These fighters were specially slaves, prisoners of war or condemned criminals. Sometimes free Romans and even Emperors took part in the action.
- Inauguration
Hundred-day games were made by Titus, Vespasian's successor, to commence the inauguration of the building in AD 80. In the process, some 9,000 wild animals were exterminated.
- The Ruins
The southern side of the Colosseum was destroyed by an earthquake in 847. All parts of the building and the marble facade - were utilized for the construction of later monuments, including the St. Peter's Basilica.
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