THE ANCIENT
ROMAN COLOSSEUM
ROME’S MOST ADVANCED ARCHITECTURAL ACHIEVEMENT
ISABELLA GIBSON
CONSTRUCTION OF THE COLOSSEUM
• Construction began in 72 A.D under the order of
Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty
• It was built on the sight of the notorious emperor Nero’s
Golden House to symbolize the new power that Rome
was under
• Was considered a gift to the Roman people
• The purpose for the Colosseum was to provide a space
for public entertainment, including witnessing gladiator
fights, staged naval battles, and the condemnation of
criminals
• The emperor was often present at these showings, increasing the
appeal to the public
• The Colosseum was completed in 80 A.D under the
power of Emperor Titus, Vespasian’s eldest son, who was
quickly succeeded months later by Domitian
CONSTRUCTION OF THE COLOSSEUM
• Interior was built with plumbing systems, retractable awnings,
and underground tunnels
• All very advanced concepts
• Three tiers of seats were placed at all angles around the ellipse
shaped stadium, and could seat more than 50,000 people at
once
• They chose this shape because if the stadium had corners, it would
be easier to trap and kill an opponent, making the fight shorter and
less entertaining
• The tree tiers were intended for the class systems: the wealthy
in the front, working class in the middle, and slaves and
foreigners in the back
• However, these unwritten rules were often ignored due to the
excitement and chaos that went with the Colosseum
• The exterior was also very impressive, adorned with golden
statues and trademark, ornate arches
EVENTS IN THE COLOSSEUM
• Forms of entertainment included gladiator fights, the slaughtering of exotic
beasts, naval battles, and the public humiliation of prisoners and criminals
• Gladiators were men (and some women) that trained tirelessly at special
schools for years before entering a battle
• Gladiators would often fight using various weapons such as nets, swords,
tridents, lances, etc.
• The Colosseum would also host mock naval battles where the stadium would be
flooded with about 5 feet of water using advanced plumbing systems
• Ships and boats full of convicted criminals and prisoners would often be set
on fire or sunk with the convicted still on them
• The Romans would also have imported exotic animals to be slaughtered by the
bestiarii, or professional beast fighters
• Some animals include leopards, lions, ostriches, wolves, bears, elephants,
and even whales.
• Public humiliation of convicted criminals were also a common occurrence
• They would often have to reenact fables and stories that ended in unusual
and gruesome deaths
A NEW CENTURY
• In 404 CE, Emperor Honorius abolished the legality of gladiator fights
• Criminals found guilty were still forced to fight animals and each
other for a century after that
• The Romans eventually lost interest in gladiator battles, and new forms
of entertainment were introduced
• Chariot races were popular, along with Roman adaptations of track
and field games derived from Greece
• After the gladiator fights ended, the Colosseum was used for some
religious services and housing a couple of wealthy families
• The Colosseum underwent a series of earth quakes that left it with only
2/3 of its original design from 500 CE to the 20th century
• A combination of natural disasters and vandalism left the walls,
seating, and floor permanently damaged
• As the years went on, locals also began using the fallen stone that they
found as building materials for their own uses
• In 1744 CE, Pope Benedict XIV outlawed any further removal of
artifacts or ruins from the Colosseum’s grounds.
THE COLOSSEUM TODAY: WHAT IT REPRESENTS
• Today, the Colosseum stands as an iconic symbol for not
only Rome, but Italy as a country
• Showcases the deep-rooted culture of the Ancient
Romans and how they functioned as a society
• The Colosseum and its history represent progression
and how we as human beings can learn beyond what we
thought capable
• The Colosseum is yet another example of Ancient
Rome’s architectural ingenuities and how advanced they
were creatively for their time.
WORKS CITED
• https://www.ancient.eu/Colosseum/
• https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/colosseum
• http://www.piercedhearts.org/treasures/holy_sites/coliseum.htm
• http://romancolosseum.org/
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/Colosseum
