Colosseum in Rome
Pictures and information about Colosseum in Rome, Italy
Above picture: The Colosseum in Rome was first used in A.D. 80. In Roman times, it was called the Flavian Amphitheater and held 50,000 spectators. The name "Colosseum" was introduce in medieval times and referred to a giant statue of Nero that stood nearby. The outer walls have three levels of arches with columns topped by Ionic capitals at the lower level and Doric and Corinthian at the top. The 80 entrance/exit arches, known as vomitoria, allowed spectators easy access and the ability to clear the building in minutes.
Above picture: The Roman Colosseum's arena was a wooden floor covered with sand, underlain with rooms and passageways for performers, sets, and animals. Spectator seating was divided into three sections: ordinary people sat in the upper level, the better off in the middle sections, and the elite in the lower level.
Above picture: The Colosseum in Rome showing the interior with a partial reconstruction of the wooden arena floor. The rooms and passageways under the floor were used for performers, sets, and animals. The arena could be flooded to recreate sea battles.
Above picture: The Colosseum in Rome showing the exterior arches that once surrounded the building. Most of the arches and much of the building were dismantled in the Middle Ages by citizens of Rome who used the stone to construct other buildings.
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