Have you ever heard of the Flavian Amphitheatre? You probably know this great landmark better as the Roman Colosseum. The Colosseum was originally called the Flavius Amphitheatre after the Roman leader at that time, Vespasian Flavius. This named was soon changed to the Colosseum in medieval times, the name Colosseum probably given because of the Colossal statue of Nero, one of Rome’s great emperors, that was near the landmark. Even though this is a well known place of generally all people, very few actually know much about it. To truly understand the Colosseum, you must know about its building and structure, its prime usage, and its later uses after it was abandoned. Firstly, one of the best known parts about the Colosseum is its building …show more content…
Some of the entertainment in the Colosseum were of theatrical nature, but most were bloody and involved death. For example, slaves or criminals were to fight each other to the death, and when one survived they would live to fight again. (Colosseum in Rome). It is pleasantly surprising that the Colosseum which has been known for battles to the death would also perform shows that did not involve any bloodshed. It’s strange to think that in those times if you were able to survive so many battles that they would let you live even if you were a criminal. According to Mark Cartwright in his article on the Colosseum, “There were also ingenious underground lifting mechanisms which allowed for the sudden introduction of wild animals into the proceedings. On some occasions, notably the opening series of shows, the arena was flooded in order to host mock naval battles.” (Cartwright). It must have been very exciting to be watching a show then have them flood the whole arena and float ships across it like in the Colosseum. A twist is always exciting in any story or show, so the introduction of a wild animal must have been a huge hit while battles took place in the Colosseum. In the Colosseum, there was also hunts of wild animals in which the animals were almost always killed easily via a spear or bow and arrow. Many dangerous animals like bulls, elephants, lions, and tigers were hunted but also vulnerable ones like giraffes, deer, ostriches, and even whales. (Cartwright). The intensity of an animal hunt must have been a thrill to everyone watching, but it is surprising to consider that more harmless animals were still hunted and enjoyed by the people. To a bloodthirsty crowd of people, the hunting of a whale must have been terribly exciting, for the Colosseum would have to be flooded, there would have to be ships along the water, and they would have to move a huge
Rome’s most famous landmark, Colosseum is a large Amphitheatre that could hold up to 50,000 people seated, which is located in Rome, Italy. The Colosseum was used as a royal treat, entertainment where gladiators would fight with wild beast in front of people, animal hunt, theatre performances and public executions for public entertainment and also the King himself. Most of the public event was held at Colosseum. The Roman Colosseum was built between 69 to 79 CE by the Vespasian emperor.
The citizens of Rome loved to go to these bloody warfares. In the city of Rome, these events were held in the Colosseum. An arena so large that it could hold 50,000 spectators and host fights between men and animals.
seating and the easiest access to the Colosseum. Even though many people think that the
The Roman Forum was the political, commercial, religious and social hub of the Roman Republic and later of the great Roman Empire. The forum was the centre of Roman life, all important decisions were made in the small open rectangle which was approximately 100 long and 70 metres wide. This rectangle witnessed some of the most important events in Roman History, and the life of the entire city was concentrated there. Under the empire, when it primarily became a centre for religious and ceremonies, it was the site of many of the city’s most imposing temples and monuments. Although its role changed constantly over time it was used for public meetings, law courts, and gladiator combats in republican times and was lined with shops and markets. The
During the middle and late third century Roman republic era gave rise to the arena games and became a great phenomenon for the Romans. An amphitheater, also known as a coliseum, housed these dangerous games that potentially harmed the audience as well as those who participated in them. Gladiatorial combat originated as part of funerals for deceased influential Romans. These large gladiatorial games were held by emperors during funerals of important roman officials, but were also included during other occasions. Over time the connection among the gladiator games and funerals decreased, and the upper class put on the games mainly to raise their social standing and gain favor with the public. Many politicians held these highly known games to help them sway votes of power and popularity (Meijer 2003, 27). “The arena was the embodiment of the empire.” (Futrell 1997, 209). The contestants, or the gladiators, had more significance of the Roman Empire beyond that as their role of entertainment.
The antiquated Greek constructed outside theaters where the general population could watch the execution of Greek parody, disaster, and satyr plays they then sent out the thought provinces all through the Aegean with the goal that theaters turned into a regular element of the urban land scape in all Greek urban areas . Roman amphitheaters are extensive roundabout or oval outside settings with raised seating worked by the old romans they were utilized for occasions, for example, fighter battles ,Venationues (creature killing), and execution around 230 roman amphitheaters have been found over the zone of the roman realm .
The Column of Antoninus Pius was a Roman triumphal column dedicated to honor the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius and his wife Faustina the Elder by his successors, co-emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, in 161 A.D. The column alone was 14.75 meters high and 1.90 meters in diameter, which was composed, of red granite, with no reliefs on the column like other triumphal columns such as those of Trajan and Marcus Aurelius. The column itself has been lost to history, however the base expresses iconography that art historians are still studying and interpreting today. The main components of the base of the column contain two funerary decursio sides, and the depiction of the apotheosis of Antoninus Pius and Faustina the Elder, the decursio and apotheosis depict two separate but equally important styles and motifs.
It looks like it's swimming in a sea of people. As I get closer notice the noise gets louder. The sound of hundreds of people talking. There are tourists chatting, tour guides yelling and the traffic going past. Before I can even enter the Colosseum I have to line up with hundreds of other tourists to go through a security check. The sight of metal detectors and x ray machines set up in between stone pillars is just not right. The stairs leading up to the audience area have been worn down and are sloping in the middle. Probably a result of the tourists, not the Romans. A handrail has been attached to comply with health a safety, something completely out of place in such a historic place. As I am hustled into the audience area I keep checking my pockets to make sure my phone is still there. With this many people constantly accidentally touching me as they try to squeeze past I wouldn't be surprised if they tried something funny. I try to imagine the building full of Romans here to see the show, the lions and gladiators who were most likely going to be torn to shreds. I push my way through yet another tour group and finally make it to the edge of what was once the arena. The floor has long disappeared and I can barely see the remains of the underground tunnels. I let myself be moved by the crowd to where Julius Caesar once stood. I can hear a whining child as I try to
Impressions of the Colosseum During Roman Times On approaching the colosseum, a spectator in Roman times would have been overwhelmed by its sheer size and beauty as it stood against the skyline perhaps higher than any other building in close proximity. The roar of over 45, 000 people would have greeted them as they neared. Upon entering, the spectator would have been amazed at the sheer volume of the people the space could accommodate as well as the different safety and comfort features. The architects took into account not only the appearance but the firmness and function of the colosseum.
The Colosseum, one of Rome’s most famous structures, is located east of the Roman Forum in Piazza del Colosseo in Rome, Italy. As a gift to the Roman people, Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty commissioned the Colosseum around AD 70-72. Titus, Emperor Vespasian’s son and successor, opened it officially in AD 80. The Colosseum is able to hold roughly 50,000 spectators, making it the largest amphitheater in Rome. The Colosseum is a symbol of how advanced Romans were in architecture and building. This monument represents strength, power, cruelty and violence. Thousands of people, most commonly criminals and professional fighters, even animals, have been killed inside the walls of the Colosseum.
"Roman Colosseum - Rome, Italy - Great Buildings Architecture." Architecture Design Architectural Images Drawings History and More - ArchitectureWeek Great Buildings. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.
The Circus Maximus is the largest stadium in ancient Rome. Circus Maximus can seat two-hundred and fifty thousand people in the stadium. Romulus was one of the seven kings in Rome to have chariot races. The Chariot races is the most popular sport entertainment in Rome. In the sixth century Tarquinius Priscus built the track in the hills of Aventine and Palatine. The first starting gates were built in 329 BC, but the gates were also rebuilt in 174 BC, and wooden eggs were made and placed on top of the spina, which was the central wall area in the stadium. There were seven laps total during the chariot races, therefore there was seven wooden eggs. The wooden eggs counted each lap upon each lap went by a wooden egg was removed. Later, the wooden eggs would be replace by seven
While the most popular games were 'chariot racing' and simulated naval battles, fights in the amphitheatres, shown in these mosaics include gladiator V gladiator, gladiator V animal (pic 2) and animal V animal, were a common feature. Less common, but not infrequent was the release of wild beasts from the pits into the arena where hundreds of criminals had earlier been positioned. These spectacles all deeming to be very entertaining to spectators.
An amphitheater is a type of area that is an open-air venue and it is used for entertainment, performance, and sports. “Theater” is in the round meaning place for viewing and “Amphi” term is prefix from Greek for around. “Amphi” also means two, both, or on both side, for example, the shape of the amphitheater is oval or circular in plan with seating all way around from the central performance area. A theater is the shape of semi-circular raised for seating looking out to the stage. Amphitheater established when the earliest Roman amphitheater built from the middle of the 1st century BC.
The Roman Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is perhaps the most famous ancient landmark in the world. The Colosseum was the host to thousands of gladiatorial shows, mock naval battles, executions, and animal hunts. Today, the Colosseum still stands in the center of Rome, Italy, however, not quite as it used to be. Still, today, the Roman Colosseum is a large tourist attraction, thousands of tourists from all over the world still come to view this marveled arena. The Roman Colosseum has a rich history, and remains a prized possession of the Roman citizens.