THE ROMAN COLOSSEUM

ORGINS

• The colosseum began construction in 72 A.D and was completed in 80 A.D
• It was originally known as the Amphitheatrum Flavium or the Flavian Amphitheater
• Construction of the Amphitheater began under emperor Vespasian and was completed during the reign of Titus
• The colosseum was built in an area that had been heavily damaged by the great fire of Rome
• This construct encouraged resettlement and was a marvel of the Roman empire

HISTORY

• The colosseum was funded by emperor Vespasian by the plunder he took from Jerusalem
• It was placed in the heart (center) of Rome, literally, to display wealth and power
• The amphitheater was open to any Roman citizen for entertainment
• During the inaugural of this architectural achievement Romans killed 9,000 wild animals
• The colosseum provided entertainment for hundreds of days at a time to promote leisureness in Rome

ENTERTAINMENT

• The shows put on in the colosseum were regonized for their brutality and intutiton
• Romans held gladiatorial battles, where men fought each other
• They displayed hunts where men fought exotic animals
• Naval battles were even held in the colosseum; its base could be filled with water
• Dramatic plays were also documented to be shown, depicting Greek mythology

GLADIATORS

• Gladiators were condemned criminals who were forced to fight for freedom
• They were fed and trained well, often in schools, for entertainment purposes
• They were sent to fight to the death against unknown opponents or beasts
• If a gladiator became popular he could be released to his freedom
• Life or death was determined by the emperor and the crowd in the collesum

ARCHITECTURE

• The colosseum is a marvel in todays society due to its complex engineering
• This amphitheater is the largest in the world, and in its day could hold 87,000 people
• It is a free standing structure with four floors that separated the classes of citizens
• Underneath the building were cages and rooms for holding supplies and animals
• Trap doors allowed for objects to be raised onto the colosseum floor from below

ARCHITECTURE

• According to theories the base of the colosseum could be flooded for naval battles
• The floor was made from wood and held up by wooden support beams from underneath
• Arches supported the structure of the colosseum and served as entrances
• This structure was the first oval amphitheater in comparison to the circular standard
• Provided for better viewing and developed a new standard

COLOSSEUM NOW

• Little of the structure remains today, most of the building was destroyed with age
• It was noted as one of the seven wonders of the world
• Located in the heart of Rome, Italy it is the citys main attraction
• The building was made from concrete and travertine and was harmed with earthquakes
• This building allows people to see what the lifestyle in ancient Rome was like

QUESTIONS

• What made the colosseum different from the amphitheaters of the time?
• When was it constructed? Under what emperor?
• How did gladiators earn their freedom?
• Who were gladiators?
• What was the show floor built from?

BIBLICAL INTEGRATION

• Christians were placed in gladitoral battles because the religion was frowned upon
• Christians that would not fight were slaughtered by animals in the arena
• Emperor Nero would light crucified christians on fire to light the colosseum at night
• However, after Rome had been conquered the colosseum was used as a Catholic church

WORKS CITED

• http://colosseum.pbworks.com/w/page/16155807/Architecture
• http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum
• http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/colosseum/colosseum-christian-martyrs.ht...