The roman colosseum

It took about ten years to build the enormous structure famously known as the Roman Colosseum . Originally called the Amphitheatrum Flavium after nearly two centuries this building still remains as one of the oldest , most perfect , and most important examples of architecture and engineering (Michikute , 2004

History

The Colosseum was built by the Flavian emperors in the first century AD as a gift to the Roman Citizens . Numerous uprisings and disasters in Rome had caused Vespasian to loose his fame as an emperor . In to regain the Roman favor back , he

decided to build the Colosseum as a present to the people . It was built in the land previously taken from the people of Rome , the land where Emperor Nero built his grand residence , the Domus Aurea . Upon the death of Nero , marking the ending of the Julio-Claudian dynasty , Emperor Vespasian (picture below ) was acknowledged as emperor by the Senate in 69 AD . Emperor Vespasian started the construction of the building in 72 AD . The artificial lake in the park of Nero 's residence was filled in and the construction of the building started . The Domus Aurea was torn down and gladiatorial schools and other buildings were constructed in this ground . The treasure said to be used for the construction of this building is from the booty that the Romans got from their victory in the Great Jewish Revolt in 70 AD (Wikipedia

By the time of death of Vespasian in 79 AD , the Colosseum was completed up to the third story . It was completed and inaugurated by Titus , his son , in 80 AD . Under Vespasian 's younger son , Emperor Domitian , the building was remodeled with the addition of the hypogeum , or the series of underground tunnels used to house animals and slaves . He also added a gallery at the upper level to increase seating capacity (Wikipedia

The Colosseum is especially popular for the games held in the amphitheatre . Most famous were the venationes or hunts and the munera or the gladiatorial games . According to Andrea Pepe (2001 , the Roman ruling class was obliged to organize games to gain the favor of the citizens . This is written in the law and expected by the people . Great expenses are needed , however in organizing games . During the reign of Emperor Domninitian , he also added four ludi or the prisons where gladiators had their training (Pepe , 2001

The Colosseum is not freed from the ravages of natural calamities Evidence of changes and repairs can be seen in building . In 217 , the upper floors were eaten by fire because of a thunderbolt . It was also hit by earthquakes in the years 442 , 470 and 847 . According to Pepe (2001 ) the last gladiatorial combat recorded is in 404 , and the last hunt is in 523 . The last hunt staged in the Colosseum was in 523 AD when the king Theodoric gave permission to Anicius Maximus to celebrate his consulate . It was during his reign that the area was reclaimed and used to connect the...