I finally got to see the Colesseum. I cannot really say how astounding it was to see it in person - to experience it. It was bigger and better than I expected. It really was phenominal.
The Colesseum is actually just a nickname it was given during the Middle Ages, because it was next to a colossal statue of Nero. It is really named the Flavian Amphitheater - because it was built by Emperors of the Flavian Dynasty. Vespasian started it, but he died before its completion. His son Titus finished the Amphitheater in 80 AD and had 100 days of inagural games to celebrate its opening. Later additions and changes were made by other Emperors. Under Titus, the amphitheater could be flooded, so that mock sea battles could be shown. Later a series of rooms were created on the bottom floor, and a wood stage permanently set up. They couldn't do the sea battles any more, but they set up elevators underneath and could raise up animals and gladiators in the middle of the arena. Sand (harena) was spread on the flooring, which is how we got the word arena for our modern sports centers.
The Amphitheater was originally 5 stories high, nearly 150 ft tall and could hold 70,000 spectators. The three lower levels each have 80 arches going around the building. Each arch on the lowest level were numbered to correspond to the seating within the amphitheater. This is similar to how we have entrances in our arenas, so you can get to your seat quickly. Also, with so many entrances/exits, the whole arena could be emptied in 20 minutes. The columns on the lowest level are Doric columns, those on the 2nd level are Ionic, and the columns on the 3rd level are Corinthian. The fourth level, in addition to having standing room for sppectators, had beams which supported a huge canopy that could be unfurled like a sail to shade the spectators below from the hot sun.
Sadly, during the Christian period (when it was no longer used) all of its marble and much of its Travertine stones were taken to be used in other buildings around Rome. The holes you see in the stones are where the Romans had reinforced their buildings with lead and iron. During the Middle Ages, there was a shortage of metal, so the people used hammers and chisels to cut out the iron from the Colosseum and other Roman buildings. Despite it being in this poor condition, it is spectacular. The Romans had great skill in engineering.
I also got to see the Roman Forum (government/religious/commerce section) and the Palatine Hill. There is still part of the first aqueduct built by Augustus on the Palatine Hill. Although horribly hot (I thought we'd all just melt or dry up) - it was a wonderful day.
PS The quote above was said by the gladiators to the host of the games before they would fight. WE, WHO ARE ABOUT TO DIE, SALUTE YOU!
The Colesseum is actually just a nickname it was given during the Middle Ages, because it was next to a colossal statue of Nero. It is really named the Flavian Amphitheater - because it was built by Emperors of the Flavian Dynasty. Vespasian started it, but he died before its completion. His son Titus finished the Amphitheater in 80 AD and had 100 days of inagural games to celebrate its opening. Later additions and changes were made by other Emperors. Under Titus, the amphitheater could be flooded, so that mock sea battles could be shown. Later a series of rooms were created on the bottom floor, and a wood stage permanently set up. They couldn't do the sea battles any more, but they set up elevators underneath and could raise up animals and gladiators in the middle of the arena. Sand (harena) was spread on the flooring, which is how we got the word arena for our modern sports centers.
The Amphitheater was originally 5 stories high, nearly 150 ft tall and could hold 70,000 spectators. The three lower levels each have 80 arches going around the building. Each arch on the lowest level were numbered to correspond to the seating within the amphitheater. This is similar to how we have entrances in our arenas, so you can get to your seat quickly. Also, with so many entrances/exits, the whole arena could be emptied in 20 minutes. The columns on the lowest level are Doric columns, those on the 2nd level are Ionic, and the columns on the 3rd level are Corinthian. The fourth level, in addition to having standing room for sppectators, had beams which supported a huge canopy that could be unfurled like a sail to shade the spectators below from the hot sun.
Sadly, during the Christian period (when it was no longer used) all of its marble and much of its Travertine stones were taken to be used in other buildings around Rome. The holes you see in the stones are where the Romans had reinforced their buildings with lead and iron. During the Middle Ages, there was a shortage of metal, so the people used hammers and chisels to cut out the iron from the Colosseum and other Roman buildings. Despite it being in this poor condition, it is spectacular. The Romans had great skill in engineering.
I also got to see the Roman Forum (government/religious/commerce section) and the Palatine Hill. There is still part of the first aqueduct built by Augustus on the Palatine Hill. Although horribly hot (I thought we'd all just melt or dry up) - it was a wonderful day.
PS The quote above was said by the gladiators to the host of the games before they would fight. WE, WHO ARE ABOUT TO DIE, SALUTE YOU!
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