The Symbols Of The Colosseum In Rome

819 Words2 Pages

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.
The Colosseum is an important part of ancient Roman history. The amphitheater is a symbol of Roman culture. The Colosseum displayed the violence of Roman culture. This incredibly unique amphitheater dominated the city of Rome. It was one of the most innovative and complex structures during that time period. The vastness of this impressive building displayed the wealth and power of the Roman Empire to other empires and enemies of the Romans. The Colosseum was created for public entertainment purposes. Gladiator fights with prisoners of war and slaves, wild animal hunts, professional fights, and public executions all took place at the Colosseum. Sea battles, rarely performed at the Colosseum, involved flooding the arena with water and releasing sharks for gladiators to fight. The excitement and thrill of each event kept spectators coming back.
Each show was kicked off with the pompa – a morning procession that occurred during several other public events in Rome – led by the editor’s standard-bearers. Following the pompa was the venation...

... middle of paper ...

... marble block of what seems to be two gladiators fighting and a feline attacking. The graffiti was most likely drawn by a spectator at one of the games. This artifact shows how important the events of the Colosseum were to the lives and culture of the Romans.
Other artifacts found during the excavation of the Colosseum were the two types of capitals of the columns that supported the roof of the maenianum summum (the upper floor of the cavea).
The building of this famous Roman structure is still a mystery to us today. However, the excavation of this site has helped archeologist better understand the structure itself and the way it was built. Along with this, it has helped us understand Roman culture and history more than we had before. The Colosseum is an extremely important part of Roman history and has shaped ancient Roman culture into what it is known as today.

Show More
Related

  • Roman Art: Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius

    597 Words  | 2 Pages

    The “Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius” was one of the lucky bronze pieces from Ancient Rome. It was lucky because the Ancient Romans often melted their bronze creations to make new ones. While this helped supply artists with material for new statues, the melting of statues has left modern cultures without knowledge of possibly hundreds of Ancient Rome’s finest pieces. Thankfully this statue survived is now at the Museo Capitolino in Rome, where it is an inside exhibit to keep safe from the harsh elements and pollution.

    Read More

  • How Does the Circus Maximus Reflect the Values of Ancient Rome?

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Circus Maximus was a tremendous money maker for Rome. Rome made a lot of money and happiness for their citizens. The Circus Maximus started in 549 BC and ended in 50 BC, bringing in about 270,000 people each race. Lots of ideas and practices that they did in the Circus Maximus we still do today. For example, we still use the shape of the track, the stadiums, and multiple sports today are based off the Circus Maximus. The Circus Maximus was so popular for its competition, thrill. A tremendous amount of people went to these races. This was because the citizens of Rome were greatly involved the happiness of competition.

    Read More

  • The Roman Colosseum

    3004 Words  | 7 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Roman games

    1087 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Roman Gladiators

    979 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...m. This huge circular arena was the pinnacle of the Roman Gladiatorial games, and though it isn't fully intact, it is a great reminder of ancient culture. Though today these games seem inhumane and unnecessary, to their ancient culture it was a vacation from everyday stress. Even the Emperor was said to understand that though money and grain would satisfy and individual, large spectacles were necessary for the ‘contentment of the masses' (wes civ).

    Read More

  • History Behind The Colosseum

    1527 Words  | 4 Pages

    When discussing the historical and cultural aspects it is important to take into consideration the culture, religion, political, social, economic and artistic aspects of the time period.The construction of the Colosseum occurred during the Flavian Dynasty, between 69 CE to 96 CE. The construction of this massive amphitheater began in 70 CE under the reign of emperor Vespasian and ended sometime around 80 CE under the reign of his son Titus (Vespasian, 2013). During this time period Vespasian was greatly known for his reorganization of the army and the expansion of the membership of the senate, which ultimately dealt with the political, economic and military aspect of the Roman history and culture.

    Read More

  • Brunelleschi's Chapel

    1269 Words  | 3 Pages

    "Roman Colosseum - Rome, Italy - Great Buildings Architecture." Architecture Design Architectural Images Drawings History and More - ArchitectureWeek Great Buildings. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.

    Read More

  • Ara Pacis: The Monument in Augustan Arts

    1868 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Ara Pacis (“Altar of Augustan Peace” in Latin) is one of the most representative works of Augustan art. The monument was dedicated on 4 July 13 B.C to honor the return of Augustus after three years in Spain and Gaul, which were his last military operations, and commemorate military victories. The altar was an impressive example of the culture of Rome in general and illustration of prosperous Rome. The monument is a visual medium to represent that peace is the result of military victories and his proconsular power on the land and sea. Karl Galinsky, a Professor of Classics at the University of Texas at Austin says that the Ara Pacis is linked with the concept that pace is the result of military victories. According to him, Augustus mentioned the importance of the Ara Pacis in Res Gestae by saying, “On my return from Spain and Gaul in the consulship of Tiberius Nero and Publius Quintilius, after I had successfully arranged affairs in those provinces, the senate decreed that an altar of the Augustan Peace should be consecrated next to the Campus Martius in honor of my return, and ordered that the magistrates and priests and the Vestal Virgins perform an annual sacrifice there” (Karl Galinsky, 1996). He avoided building an altar in the senate chamber to honor his return. Instead, he ordered to build an altar to Pax Agusta in which one mile away from the sacred boundary of the city. It means that the altar was meant not only to be a monument of military achievement, but also a vision of the Roman religion. This research aims on function, structure of the altar, and reliefs on each side of the precinct wall.

    Read More

  • Roman Entertainment

    1009 Words  | 3 Pages

    seating and the easiest access to the Colosseum. Even though many people think that the

    Read More

  • Imagery In Ancient Roman Art

    1689 Words  | 4 Pages

    The primary function of monumental portraits in Ancient Rome was to honor political figures of power through repeating social and political themes. The Romans expressed these themes through a form of “realism”. Relics of this era were found depicting the elderly conservative nobility that lived through civil disruptions and war, elaborately individualized through detail of the face expression. Through the features of grimacing heaviness, wrinkles, and effects of old age, the Romans were able to express the reality of their political situation felt by the people whose faces were sculptured into stone. Furthermore, Nodelman discusses the use of sculpture portraits to depict the ideology behind Roman conservative aristocracy. Artists would portray the virtues of gravitas, dignities, and fides, through the use to physical expression and symbolic meaning, rather than through words. A statue of Augustus, for instance, displays the militaristic, powerful, godly perception of the conservative ideology through the use of symbolic detail. The decorative, rich, military outfit on Augustus, represents the power of the military and Augustus’s role as imperator in it. The freely held masculine arm and pointing gesture towards the horizon are Rome’s expanding dreams, clashing with the overall powerful and sturdy stance of the body. The bare feet bring about the impression

    Read More

  • Ancient Rome's Animal Cruelty for Entertainment

    1830 Words  | 4 Pages

    “The Romans are often characterized as loving violent and cruel entertainment in the amphitheatre. It has been suggested that the games served the dual purpose of providing entertainment for the people and maintaining the political status quo.”

    Read More

  • The Importance of Gladiator Games

    1758 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Slavery In Ancient Rome Essay

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rome, Italy’s capital, is a stretched, city with nearly 3,000 years of influential art, architecture and culture written to share to the world. Ancient Rome was one of the most advanced societies in its time.  Ancient Roman culture lasted a long time in the history of the civilization of Ancient Rome. ancient Rome was a joint of the city of Rome which a lot of the activity’s happen. Ancient Rome is known for the prominent Colosseum which is the largest amphitheater ever built.  , the , and the Pantheon.The Roman Pantheon is the most maintained and dominant buildings of ancient Rome. It is a Roman temple dedicated to all the gods of ancient Rome. The city also had many other theaters, gymnasiums, and many taverns. most of the population in Rome lived in

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Augustus Of Prima Porta

    1836 Words  | 4 Pages

    Here, we will be looking at a rendition of the high marble statue of Augustus Caesar known as “Augustus of Prima Porta.” Originating from 1st Century A.D., it is said that there is a possibility that the original sculpture could have been of greek descent. Upon a general overview of the sculpture, one can see that Augustus fulfils a millitarial role of some kind. From his very stance to the garments portrayed on him, Augustus is draped in a decorative cuirass and a tunic, accompanied by a figure of Cupid clutching on to his right calf. After taking the general themes of the work into account, one can then began to start unraveling the many symbolic elements embedded into the sculpture that allude to godly themes. Starting from the crown of his head, the very chiselment and structure of his face gives the work a youthful element to it, even though some say that Augustus was around 40 years old. A recurring theme within Greek and Roman culture is the matter of godliness and immortality amongst idolized figures themselves. This idea is usually depicted by displaying powerful human being in a younger light. This

    Read More

  • The Roman Colosseum

    793 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

More about The Symbols Of The Colosseum In Rome

Open Document