The Colosseum

Amphitheatrum Flavium

Rome, Roma, Italy

Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy

41°53'24.6"N 12°29'32.3"E

Italy

69-80 CE

1st Century

Architecture and City Planning

stadiums

sports buildings

recreation buildings

recreation structures

Flavian

Roman

travertine

tufa

concrete

masonry construction

arena

Ancient Roman

arches

ruins

partial view, interior view

Begun by Vespasian in AD 70, the Colosseum was completed by his son Titus in AD 80. Its construction and design became the model for stadium architecture. Consisting of four arcaded stories, the first three each have eighty arches, framed respectively by engaged Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns. Seventy-six of these arches are numbered to direct spectators to their assigned seats. An attic, which serves as the fourth story, has Corinthian pilasters framing bays that alternate between windows and large decorative shields of gilded bronze, which were added by Domitian. It was estimated to hold between 50,000 to 80,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests, mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, and re-enactments of famous battles. The building ceased to be used for entertainment by the Early Middle Ages and was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine. It remains partially in a ruined state due to devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers.

Michael Peters

Michael Peters

© Michael Peters

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