The Colosseum

The Colosseum is a famous amphitheatre in Rome, so called from the colossal statue of the Sun (originally Nero) which stood beside it. Intended for the celebration of gladiatorial combats and games it was begun under the Emperor Vespasian 72 A.D. on a site previously occupied by part of Nero's Golden House, and completed under Titus, and opened in 80 A.D. It was the scene of the martyrdom of many early Christians.

Its plan was elliptical, 188 m long and 156 m across, with an arena 86 m by 54 m, and seating for 45,000 - 50,000. The façade consists of four storeys, the lower three of open arcading; each of the 80 arches is framed by half-columns and their entablature, with Doric below, then Ionic, then Corinthian; the fourth storey is closed, its wall decorated with Corinthian pilasters and projecting brackets which supported the masts for a huge awning to cover the auditorium.

Within this façade two corridors ran all round the building on the ground and first floors, and beyond them the radiating barrel vaults, which supported the marble seating, held stairs and passages leading spectators directly to the appropriate part of the auditorium.

Lifts and underground passages beneath the arena allowed gladiators and wild animals to emerge where required.

After its abandonment in the 6th century, the Colosseum site served the Romans as a quarry, until Pope Benedict XIV rescued it by consecrating it to the Christian martyrs.

Its combination of arches and half-columns was much imitated in the Renaissance. Extensive ruins still exist.