Walk Through Time: The History of the Colosseum

The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, is one of the most iconic and enduring symbols of ancient Rome.

This magnificent structure has stood for almost 2,000 years and continues to fascinate people from all over the world with its grandeur and rich history. Located in the heart of Rome, Italy, the Colosseum was built between 70-80 AD under Emperor Vespasian and completed by his son Titus. It was used primarily for gladiatorial games and other public spectacles such as animal hunts, public executions, reenactments of famous battles, and even mock sea battles. The name "Colosseum" is believed to have originated from a colossal statue that once stood nearby called the Colossus of Nero. Over time, this remarkable monument has faced destruction through natural disasters like earthquakes and human intervention such as looting for building materials. However, despite these challenges, it remains one of the best-preserved ancient Roman structures in existence today. In this essay we will take a walk through time to explore the fascinating history behind this architectural marvel. Early History: From Concept to Construction The idea for an amphitheater in Rome dates back to around 50 BC during Julius Caesar's reign when he commissioned a wooden amphitheater made up of temporary seating on Campus Martius (a field outside city walls) for hosting gladiator fights. However it wasn't until Vespasian came into power after Nero's death in 68 AD that plans were put into motion for a permanent stone structure. Vespasian wanted to win over support from Roman citizens who had grown weary of Nero's extravagance by building something impressive yet practical. He chose a site that had been previously occupied by Emperor Nero's artificial lake which spanned about six acres near his Golden House complex (Domus Aurea). This location was ideal because it was close to the city center and could be easily accessed by people from all walks of life. The construction of the Colosseum began in 70 AD, with Vespasian's son Titus overseeing its completion in 80 AD. It is estimated that over 60,000 Jewish slaves were used for building this massive structure which spanned six acres and could hold up to 50,000 spectators at a time. The Colosseum was built entirely out of travertine stone blocks held together without mortar using iron clamps and dowels. Architecture and Design The Colosseum's architecture is a masterpiece of engineering and design that has stood the test of time. Its elliptical shape measures about 620 feet long by 513 feet wide with a height of over160 feet, making it one of the largest amphitheaters ever built. The outer wall consists of four levels - each adorned with columns featuring different architectural orders (Doric on ground level, Ionic on second level, Corinthian on third level) while the fourth level remains unadorned. These columns served both aesthetic and practical purposes as they helped support the weight of the tiers above while also providing ventilation through their open arches. Each tier had seating arranged according to social class with senators occupying lower levels closer to the action while women and commoners sat higher up. Underneath the arena floor lay an elaborate network known as hypogeum which consisted of underground passages, chambers for animals/gladiators/prisoners/storage rooms/lifts/and trapdoors leading into arena floor called "porta libitinaria" where dead bodies were removed after fights through secret tunnels called vomitoria (from Latin word meaning "to spew forth"). Spectacles at The Colosseum: Gladiatorial Games Gladiator fights were among some of most popular spectacles held at The Colosseum during its heyday. These fights were often brutal and bloody, with gladiators fighting to the death for entertainment of the crowd. Gladiators were usually slaves or prisoners of war who were trained in specialized schools (ludi) for combat. They would fight with different weapons like swords, spears, nets, tridents and shields depending on their specialty. The most skilled and popular gladiators gained celebrity status and could earn freedom through winning enough battles. The games began with a grand procession known as pompa that showcased exotic animals from Africa such as elephants, lions, tigers and bears along with chariots carrying participants dressed in elaborate costumes which added to the spectacle's grandeur. Once the show started, there was no turning back as spectators cheered loudly for their favorite fighters while jeering at those they disliked. A fight ended when one of two contestants died or surrendered by raising his finger (a sign called "missio" meaning mercy). In case of surrendering fighter being spared by emperor's thumb signal upturned (pollice verso) signaled death sentence whereas down-turned thumb meant sparing him - though this is mostly debated among historians whether it actually happened or not. Other Spectacles Apart from gladiator fights there were other spectacles held at The Colosseum like animal hunts where wild animals would be released into arena to be hunted down by hunters armed only with spears/swords/nets/traps/amphibious vehicles imported from Africa/Egypt/Asia Minor etc., public executions where criminals/sailors/prisoners/slaves/rebels/bandits/heretics/pirates etc., would face their fate either being killed by beasts/gladiators/or executioners using various methods like crucifixion/beheading/hanging/burning/being thrown off high walls/crucified upside-down/drowning/falling into pits filled water/snakes/lions/tigers/eagles/vultures/scorpions etc. The Colosseum also hosted mock sea battles called naumachiae which were staged by flooding the arena with water through aqueducts and boats would be brought in for simulated naval warfare. These battles were often reenactments of famous historical events like the Battle of Actium between Mark Antony and Octavian Caesar or mythological tales from Greek/Roman history such as the Trojan War. Decline and Survival The Colosseum's popularity began to decline during 5th century AD due to rise of Christianity, economic crisis, political instability, Barbarian invasions, natural disasters like earthquakes/fires/plagues etc., that led to neglect/abandonment/damage/destruction/looting/modifications of structure over time. In fact Pope Gregory III banned gladiatorial games in 732 AD but they continued sporadically until Emperor Honorius finally banned them altogether in 404 AD - though other forms entertainment still took place there till early medieval era when it was no longer used for public spectacles. In early medieval period The Colosseum was converted into a fortress (castrum) by local inhabitants who built houses/workshops/churches/tombs inside its walls using stone blocks taken from upper levels after earthquake damaged lower ones. Later on it became a quarry site where people came to collect building materials like marble/limestone/granite/travertine/iron clamps/dowels/etc., for their own constructions which further weakened its structure leading collapse parts inner wall outer arcade during major earthquake 1349 AD damaging one side so badly that remained unusable rest centuries while other side still functioned as fortified church dedicated Santa Maria Nova (built out ruins). During Renaissance artists/architects/scholars/historians started showing interest ancient Roman structures including The Colosseum which had become symbol grandeur/prowess/culture Rome itself representing both glory decadence. Many famous figures like Michelangelo/Leonardo da Vinci/Raphael were among those who studied/drew/painted/sculpted/wrote about it while others like Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590) tried to restore/repair/rebuild it but couldn't complete their ambitious plans due lack funds/death of pope. Survival and Restoration In 1749 a group architects/artists/engineers/scholars formed Accademia Nazionale di San Luca to study Roman architecture/antiquities such as The Colosseum which was chosen as one main subjects - along with Pantheon/Trajan's Column/Aqueducts/etc., in order create accurate records/measures/plans/models of ancient structures help preserve them future generations. Restoration work began during late 18th century when scholars/archaeologists started excavating ruins uncovering original floor level (arena) hypogeum etc., reconstructing missing parts outer wall inner arcade vaults stairs corridors passageways seats galleries vomitoria etc., using paintings/drawings/photos/maps/books/archives/statues/sculptures/guides from various sources including Vatican Library/British Museum/Louvre/Metropolitan Museum Art/Egyptian Museum Berlin/Pompeii/Herculaneum/Naples National Archaeological Museum/etc. One most notable restorations was carried out by architect Giuseppe Valadier under Pope Pius VII (1800-1823) who wanted make monument symbol Christian martyrs since many early Christians believed that arena had been site numerous martyrdoms especially after Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity made official religion Empire in 313 AD. This led construction large wooden cross erected center arena where altar used be placed before games took over space once occupied emperor's imperial box called pulvinar - though some experts argue that this cross actually dates back medieval period rather than ancient times proper form crucifixion didn't appear until late 5th century AD. Valadier also built new entrance (Porta Santa) on south side decorated with marble statues/paintings representing Christ's Passion/Resurrection/Virgin Mary/Saints/Stations Cross/etc., which became popular pilgrimage site for devout Christians who believed that visiting Colosseum during Holy Week would bring them indulgences especially Good Friday when Pope himself led procession from Basilica San Giovanni Laterano inside walls where he celebrated Mass before proceeding outside Via Crucis starting point ancient Roman Forum ending Caelian Hill near Arch Constantine. Unfortunately this restoration was undone by later architects/scientists/s