The Colosseum
The Colosseum or Coliseum is an ancient Roman amphitheatre and is also the largest
amphitheatre ever built. Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum
is situated in the centre of Rome, just east of the Forum Romanum. This concrete and stone construction
represents the style of Roman architecture and also presents an astounding feat
of engineering. Construction of the amphitheatre commenced in approximately 70
- 72AD under the reign of Emperor Vespasian and was completed in around 80AD under
the rule of his heir and successor Titus. It is believed that this construction
was funded by the spoils taken from a Jewish Temple following the siege of
Jerusalem. It is estimated that the Colosseum can hold between 50 000 to 80 000
people.
The outer wall of the Colosseum was constructed using an estimated 100,000 cubic metres of travertine stone which were held together by approximately 300 tons of iron clamps and without the use of mortar. Over time the structure has suffered as a result of earthquakes, fire and stone-robbers and many sections have been rebuilt.The original perimeter measured 545m and the elliptical plan was 189m long by 156m wide. The Colosseum had a base area of 24,000 square metres and the arean 87 m long by 55 m wide. The structure consisted on 4 floors each containing 80 arches.
The Colosseum was commonly used for gladiatorial events as well as a range of other shows and entertainment including animal hunts , mock sea battles, executions, battle re-enactments and dramas based on Classical mythology.These combats were attended by various classes such as the poor, the weathly, and often the emperor himself. Gladiatorial events or Munera, were held by private individuals rather than state organisations and acted as a demonstration of a family wealth, power and prestige. Venatio or animal hunts were also an extremely popular form of entertainment and encompassed a wide variety of foreign imported beasts such as Barbary lions, panthers, bears, crocodiles, rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, elephants, aurochs, wisents, ostriches and Caspian tigers. The Colosseum also exhibited Damnatio ad bestias or “condemnation to beasts”, which was a form of punishment in which people of whom were condemned to death such as prisoners, convicted criminals, slaves and early Christians were sent into the arena naked and unarmed, forced to face beasts that would inevitably tear them apart. Sometimes these victims were first mutilated and then thrown into enclosures containing wild animals, commonly lions. Damnatio ad bestias was incorporated as part of the inaugural games of the Flavian Amphitheatre.
The outer wall of the Colosseum was constructed using an estimated 100,000 cubic metres of travertine stone which were held together by approximately 300 tons of iron clamps and without the use of mortar. Over time the structure has suffered as a result of earthquakes, fire and stone-robbers and many sections have been rebuilt.The original perimeter measured 545m and the elliptical plan was 189m long by 156m wide. The Colosseum had a base area of 24,000 square metres and the arean 87 m long by 55 m wide. The structure consisted on 4 floors each containing 80 arches.
The Colosseum was commonly used for gladiatorial events as well as a range of other shows and entertainment including animal hunts , mock sea battles, executions, battle re-enactments and dramas based on Classical mythology.These combats were attended by various classes such as the poor, the weathly, and often the emperor himself. Gladiatorial events or Munera, were held by private individuals rather than state organisations and acted as a demonstration of a family wealth, power and prestige. Venatio or animal hunts were also an extremely popular form of entertainment and encompassed a wide variety of foreign imported beasts such as Barbary lions, panthers, bears, crocodiles, rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, elephants, aurochs, wisents, ostriches and Caspian tigers. The Colosseum also exhibited Damnatio ad bestias or “condemnation to beasts”, which was a form of punishment in which people of whom were condemned to death such as prisoners, convicted criminals, slaves and early Christians were sent into the arena naked and unarmed, forced to face beasts that would inevitably tear them apart. Sometimes these victims were first mutilated and then thrown into enclosures containing wild animals, commonly lions. Damnatio ad bestias was incorporated as part of the inaugural games of the Flavian Amphitheatre.
During the
medieval period, the Colosseum ceased being used as an amphitheatre and the
structure was radically changed. In the 6th century a small church was erected
in the structure of the amphitheatre, and the surrounding area was converted
into a cemetery. The vaulted spaces located under the seating were converted into
workshops and housing. It was later used for other purposes such as quarters
for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
The Colosseum was greatly significant to the lives of the wealthy as the events it held represented power and prestige of an individual or family. These events and forms of entertainment provided a link between the classes which created a sense of balance and order and a level of respect and understanding between the two socio economic groups. The poor came to view gladiatorial games and hunts that were held by the wealthy and this kept both parties content which helped prevent the possibility of revolt from the lower classes. The events held at the Colosseum also instilled a form of psychological training and desensitisation to violence and the use of weapons which subconsciously prepared citizens for the challenges of battle. This would have proven effective if in an outbreak of war an army was required by the emperor the Roman people would already be mentally prepared for battle.
The Colosseum was greatly significant to the lives of the wealthy as the events it held represented power and prestige of an individual or family. These events and forms of entertainment provided a link between the classes which created a sense of balance and order and a level of respect and understanding between the two socio economic groups. The poor came to view gladiatorial games and hunts that were held by the wealthy and this kept both parties content which helped prevent the possibility of revolt from the lower classes. The events held at the Colosseum also instilled a form of psychological training and desensitisation to violence and the use of weapons which subconsciously prepared citizens for the challenges of battle. This would have proven effective if in an outbreak of war an army was required by the emperor the Roman people would already be mentally prepared for battle.
Bibliography
Wikipedia, ‘Damnatio ad bestias’
Retrieved 22nd July 2015, Last updated 25 August 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damnatio_ad_bestias
Wikipedia, ‘Colosseum’
Retrieved 20th July 2015, Last updated 25th August 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum#
‘Roman Colosseum’, Rome Info
Retrieved 20th July 2015
http://www.rome.info/colosseum/
‘Colosseum’, History.com
Retrieved 20th July 2015
http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/colosseum
Wikipedia, ‘Damnatio ad bestias’
Retrieved 22nd July 2015, Last updated 25 August 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damnatio_ad_bestias
Wikipedia, ‘Colosseum’
Retrieved 20th July 2015, Last updated 25th August 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum#
‘Roman Colosseum’, Rome Info
Retrieved 20th July 2015
http://www.rome.info/colosseum/
‘Colosseum’, History.com
Retrieved 20th July 2015
http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/colosseum