Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
What a very special place. Jacks favorite so far.... Think it was the gladiators and gruesome facts that the guide was telling us on the way round that grabbed his attention.
It is one of most impressive buildings of the Roman Empire ( it was known back then as the Flavian Amphitheater).
Construction started in 72AD under the orders of Emperor Vespian, and were completed in 80AD the year after his death.
The huge amphitheater was built on the site of an artificial lake, part of Nero's huge park in the centre of Rome.
The measurements of this building mean nothing until you are standing in its inner pathways. It is 188m by 156m and reaches a height of more than 48m. It was made from stone, travertine and marble.
160 large statues stood over each entrance around the colosseum, some you can still see today.
The Colosseum could hold around 50,000-80,000 spectators. There were 4 levels, the upper level was seating for lower classes and women. The lowest was kept for prominent citizens like the Emperor and his closest confidants.
Below ground you can see the remains of tunnels and holding bays where they would keep the animals in preparation for fighting, being winched up and entering the arena thru a covered trap door. This would create an element of surprise for those already fighting and the audience.
Gladiators were not known to have fought here initially but more public spectacles like animal hunts, mock sea battles and executions.
We then walked around The Forum, old Rome. What remains are ruins of what used to be important government buildings, it was where public speeches would take place, processions, criminal trials.. It was for centuries the centre of Roman public life.
- comments