The Colossum

This was Roman inheritance. Colossum is an elliptical amphitheatre in the center of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.

Construction of the Colosseum began under the rule of the Emperor Vespasian in around 70–72AD. The Colosseum is an entirely free-standing structure. It derives its basic exterior and interior architecture from that of two Roman theatres back to back. It is elliptical in plan and is 189 meters long and 156 meters wide, with a base area of 24,000 m2. The height of the outer wall is 48 meters. The perimeter originally measured 545 meters. The central arena is an oval long and wide, surrounded by a wall high, above which rose tiers of seating.




Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. As well as the gladiatorial games, other public spectacles were held there, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. But today Colosseum becomes a major of tourist object and travel destination in Rome. There is now a museum dedicated to Eros located in the upper floor of the outer wall of the building. Part of the arena floor has been re-floored.