The Colosseum, 1982
This is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, just east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world, despite its age. Construction began under the Emperor Vespasian (r. 69-79 AD) in 72 and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir, Titus (r. 79-81). Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (r. 81-96). The three emperors who were patrons of the work are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was initially named the Flavian Amphitheatre by later classicists and archaeologists for its association with their family name (Flavius).
The Colosseum is built of travertine limestone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced concrete. It could hold an estimated 50-80,000 spectators at various points in its history, having an average audience of some 65,000; it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles including animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, dramas based on Roman mythology, and, briefly, mock sea battles. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early mediaeval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
Although substantially ruined by earthquakes and stone robbers taking spolia, the Colosseum is still a renowned symbol of Imperial Rome and was listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. An entirely free-standing structure, it derives its basic exterior and interior architecture from that of two theatres back-to-back. It is elliptical in plan and is 189m long, and 156m wide, with a base area of 24,000 sq. m. The outer wall is 48m tall. The central arena, seen above, is an ellipse 87m long and 55m wide, surrounded by a wall 5m high, above which rose tiers of seating.
Seen during an all-too-short weekend visit to Rome in the summer of 1982, this is a scan from a negative. A temporary floor protecting part of the hypogeum has been installed since then, and there are apparently plans to install a retractable floor across the entire floor. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
The Colosseum, 1982
This is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, just east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world, despite its age. Construction began under the Emperor Vespasian (r. 69-79 AD) in 72 and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir, Titus (r. 79-81). Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (r. 81-96). The three emperors who were patrons of the work are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was initially named the Flavian Amphitheatre by later classicists and archaeologists for its association with their family name (Flavius).
The Colosseum is built of travertine limestone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced concrete. It could hold an estimated 50-80,000 spectators at various points in its history, having an average audience of some 65,000; it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles including animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, dramas based on Roman mythology, and, briefly, mock sea battles. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early mediaeval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
Although substantially ruined by earthquakes and stone robbers taking spolia, the Colosseum is still a renowned symbol of Imperial Rome and was listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. An entirely free-standing structure, it derives its basic exterior and interior architecture from that of two theatres back-to-back. It is elliptical in plan and is 189m long, and 156m wide, with a base area of 24,000 sq. m. The outer wall is 48m tall. The central arena, seen above, is an ellipse 87m long and 55m wide, surrounded by a wall 5m high, above which rose tiers of seating.
Seen during an all-too-short weekend visit to Rome in the summer of 1982, this is a scan from a negative. A temporary floor protecting part of the hypogeum has been installed since then, and there are apparently plans to install a retractable floor across the entire floor. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.