This 2,000 year old building is the classic example of Roman engineering. The Romans pioneered the use of concrete and the rounded arch, which enabled them to build on this tremendous scale. while the essential structure of the Colosseum is Roman the four-story façade is decorated with mostly Greek columns-Doric-like Tuscan columns on the ground level, Ionic on the second story, and Corinthian on the next level, and at the top, half-columns with a mix of all three. Built when the Roman Empire was at its peak in A.D. 80, the Colosseum represents Rome at its grandest. The Flavian Amphitheater (the Colosseum’s real name) was an arena for gladiator contests and public spectacles. When killing became a spectator sport, the Romans wanted to share the fun with as many people as possible, so they stuck two semicircular theaters together to create a free standing amphitheater. The outside (where slender cypress trees stand today) was decorated with a 100-foot-tall bronze statue of Nero that gleamed in the sunlight. In a later age, the colossal structure was nicknamed a “coloss-eum,” the wonder of its age. It could accommodate 50,000 roaring fans (100,000 thumbs). This was where ancient Romans - taste for violence was met. Gladiators, criminals, and wild animals fought to the death in every conceivable scenario. The bit of reconstructed Colosseum floor gives you an accurate sense of the original floor and the subterranean warren where animals were held, then lifted up in elevators. Released at floor lever, the animals would pop out from behind blinds in to the arena-the gladiator didn’t know where, when, or by what he’d be attacked.
The Colosseum was gorgeous today….with all the flowers in bloom and sunshine streaming through its many arches….
Arch of Constantine:
In A.D. 312, Emperor Constantine defeated his rival Maxentius in the crucial Battle of the Milvian Bridge. The night before, he had seen a vision of a cross in the sky. Constantine-whose mother and sister were Christians- became sole emperor and legalized Christianity. With this one battle, a once-obscure Jewish sect with a handful of followers was now the state religion of the entire Western world. In A.D. 300, you could be killed for being a Christine; a century later, you could be killed for not being one.
We had an amazing tour guide and guided tour through the Colosseum. We were able to go down in to the subterranean levels where the animals were kept as well as up to the upper levels. It was all very interesting and really made us appreciate Roman architecture. So forward thinking for its time!
Great info, we were melting and wilting at this point however
Sadly, when the guide unlocked the gate that led us under this arch and we headed to the upper levels, Jake was left behind taking pictures on the main level. We thought he was up ahead playing with William, Cole and Josh, but alas he was not. We stayed up top for about 20 minutes listening to the tour guide and taking pictures of the amazing areal view. Not realizing that our sweet Jake was frantically running around looking for us. Ugh! When we finally caught up with him we felt like the worst parents. We asked him all the right questions, like “did you find a worker?” or “a mom with kids?” He said he had tried, but nobody spoke English. Awesome losing your kid in another country. Why is it always poor Jake?!
Ellie and Carter are only 6 weeks apart in age. They had such a great time getting to know each other again. What fun to have this trip to always remember. Cousins ROCK!
One last amazing view of the Colosseum from the walk into the Forum!
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