The History Behind The Construction Of Colosseum

By Author: Robin Mackenzie
Total Articles: 31
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The Colosseum which is considered one among the Seven Wonders of the World was built in Rome, Italy before 1920 years. The technology of today’s world is unbelievable with numerous sky scrapers and other attractive buildings. Nevertheless the Colosseum is a still a symbol of grandeur but it remains a troubled monument of the Roman Empire. It is one of the greatest amphitheatres even now. But it was inside this amphitheatre that so many coldblooded murders took place. Romans killed numerous people who they believed were criminals and a lot of professional fighters and animals were killed as well. The glistening stones were extracted from the Colosseum by Roman popes and aristocrats. Finally now because of earthquakes, fires and such kind of plunders the two thirds of the original colosseum has been destroyed and what is left is just the remains of glory.

The Colosseum was built after the death of Nero and the rebellion by the Jews in Palestine against Roman rule. Nero built the golden house, a huge luxurious palace right in the heart of the city after the a great fire incident happened in 64 AD. In 68 AD owing to the ...
... pressures from military uprisings, he committed suicide and the whole empire was engulfed by Vespasian an emperor who reigned Rome from 69-79 AD. He decided to build the amphitheatre out of the looted money from the Jewish war. The amphitheatre was built in the gardens of Nero’s palace. It was actually the largest amphitheatre capable of holding 50,000 spectators.

It was opened in AD 80 by Titus who was the son and successor of Vespasian. It was initially known as Flavian amphitheatre. The project was completed remarkably in a quick period of time. It was actually a grand political gesture that Romans are the rulers of the world and it was given as a gift to the public by Vespasian. The amphitheatre hosted many gladiatorial combats, spectacles with wild beasts and execution of the Christians. It was actually built where an artificial lake was created by Nero in his palace. Drains were constructed beneath the structure so that water from the nearby streams and lakes do not damage the structure. The foundations were built and it was roughly in the shape of a donut. It is a surprise that inspite of its grandeur, the costs were controlled. Most of the details of the building were worked out way before the construction of the building started.

When we look at the building, we can see a series of squares within the framing of the arches. This is no accident but was cleanly planned out way ahead in advance. The exterior of the Colosseum has been achieved by three storeys of superimposed arches with semi-circular columns. On each storey, the columns are of different orders. The entrances were marked with huge porticoes each covered by a gilded horse drawn chariot. The emperor had a private entrance for himself as well. There were four entrances and the best seats were designed just behind the podium.

Now because of the Colosseum’s partial destruction, we are able to see the inside view in a way no ancient could have seen. This Colosseum is very much different but gigantic when compared to most of the public buildings designed by Greeks and Romans. Emperors used this Colosseum to entertain the public with free games and it was a matter of pride according to them. They usually staged comical acts and also displayed exotic animals. Titus held hundred day games to mark the inauguration of the amphitheatre and in the process around 9000 animals were slaughtered. I happened to visit this place with the services of Moving Boxes and it completely took me by awe. The southern side of the Colosseum was destroyed in an earthquake in 847. Later on many monuments were constructed using parts of the colosseum including St. Peter’s Basilica.