2.6 Colosseum of Rome or Amphitheater Flavio (Italy)
This monument of classical Rome has been named one
of the new seven wonders of the world, according to the Honorable
designation made in Lisbon, on July 7, 2007, in the framework of the New 7 Wonderscontest, organized by the Swiss Bernard Weber, of which Unesco has cleared completely.
The Roman Coliseum is an amphitheatre from the time of the Roman Empire, built in the 1st century in the Centre of the city of Rome. It was originally called Anfiteatro Flavio (Amphitheatrum Flavium), in honor of the Flavia dynasty of emperors who built it, and came to be called Colosseum by a large statue located next to it, the Colossus of Nero, not preserved today. Due to its architectural characteristics, condition and history, the Coliseum is one of the most famous monuments of classical antiquity.
Pollice Verso ("Thumb down") Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1872.
The Roman Coliseum is an amphitheatre from the time of the Roman Empire, built in the 1st century in the Centre of the city of Rome. It was originally called Anfiteatro Flavio (Amphitheatrum Flavium), in honor of the Flavia dynasty of emperors who built it, and came to be called Colosseum by a large statue located next to it, the Colossus of Nero, not preserved today. Due to its architectural characteristics, condition and history, the Coliseum is one of the most famous monuments of classical antiquity.
In 1980, Unesco declared the historic centre of Rome, including the Colosseum, heritage. Since
2000, the authorities keep the building illuminated for 48 hours
whenever somewhere in the world will change over you or defers a
judgment of death a sentenced person.
In ancient times it possessed a capacity for 50,000 spectators, with eighty rows of bleachers. Those
who were close to the arena were the Emperor and the senators, and a
measure that is was were the lower strata of society. In the Colosseum struggles of gladiators and public performances took place. It
was built just east of the Roman Forum, and the works began between the
70 d. C. and d. el72 C., under the mandate of the Emperor Vespasiano. The
amphitheatre, which was the largest ever built in the Roman Empire, was
completed in 80 d. C. by the Emperor Titus, and was modified during the
reign of Domitian. Its inauguration lasted 100
days, participating in it all the Roman people and dying dozens of
gladiators and wild beasts who gave their lives for the pleasure and entertainment of the people in their celebration.
The Colosseum was
used for almost 500 years, celebrating the last games of the history in
the century I saw, rather later than the traditional date of the fall of
the Western Roman Empire in 476 d. C. As well as
gladiator fights, many other public performances took place here, as
naumachie, hunting of animals, executions, re-enactments of famous
battles, and plays based on classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for these purposes in the high middle ages. Later, it was reused as a refuge, headquarters of a religious order, strength and quarry. Its
ruins was extracted wealth of material for the construction of other
buildings, until it was converted into a Christian shrine, to honor
prisoners martyred during the early years of Christianity. This measure helped stop their plundering and to ensure their conservation.
Although the
structure is severely damaged due to the earthquakes and the
stonemasons, the Colosseum always has been seen as an icon of Imperial
Rome and is one of the best preserved examples of Roman architecture. It
is one of the most popular tourist attractions of modern Rome and is
still closely linked to the Roman Catholic Church, so the Pope leads the
via Crucis to the Amphitheatre every good Friday.
Pollice Verso ("Thumb down") Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1872.