Research Paper On The Colosseum

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The Colosseum was built in A.D. 70-72 by the Emperor Vespasian, and his sons, Titus and Domitian, of the Flavian dynasty. It was built as a gift to the Romans, and designed to be a place of entertainment. It was built on the former site of the Golden Palace, Emperor Nero’s grand palace . After nearly a decade of construction, which was fast, given the size, Vespasian’s son Titus, who was now in rule, dedicated it to the people of Rome. However, the final stages of the Colosseum were finished under the reign of Titus’s brother, Domitian. Titus opened the Colosseum in A.D. 80, known then officially as the Flavian Amphitheatre. The Arch of Constantine, built in A.D. 315 near the main entrance of the Colosseum, was designed to honor Constantine I’s victory at Pons Milvius over Maxentius. Thousands of visitors passed under the grand arch every year as they entered the amphitheatre. The Colosseum saw four centuries of great use, until it fell into despair. The Western Roman Empire was struggling, and a gradual change in public taste brought the death of gladiatorial fights and other similar large public…show more content…
by 313 ft., making it the largest amphitheatre in the Roman world, at the time. Unlike most other amphitheatres, the Colosseum was free standing, constructed of stone and concrete. Most others were built into hillsides for support. The exterior of the Colosseum had three stories of arched entries, giving it a total of 80 arched entries, all supported by semi-circular columns. Interestingly, the columns themselves had different styles, depending on the story and each level had a different style. The Colosseum had seating for over 50,000 spectators, with awnings that unfolded from the top story to keep sun off the audience. Despite the Colosseum’s greatness, over two thirds of the original structure have been destroyed over time, due to weather, natural disasters, neglect, and vandalism. Even the marble seats and decorative elements are

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