In contrast to earlier amphitheatres which dug into hillsides for support, the Colosseum was freestanding. Comprised of three stories surrounding an arena and eighty arches on each story; its bottom floor featured Doric and Ionic columns while its second-floor floors had Corinthian ones for additional support.
Builders created the Colosseum on top of what had previously been a lake at Nero’s Domus Aurea. This large-scale construction needed lots of concrete, travertine and marble.
The height of the Colosseum
Though best known for gladiatorial shows and bloodsport, the Colosseum is also revered as one of the largest amphitheaters worldwide. Measuring at 157 feet high – roughly half as tall as Washington Monument – its impressive ancient structure was composed of concrete, travertine limestone and brick; an engineering marvel built by Romans adept at using concrete to construct huge structures.
It stands as a freestanding structure, unlike most amphitheaters that were dug into hillsides for support. Constructed with an elaborate system of barrel and groin vaults topped by arches framed by columns from Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders; its exterior is decorated with arches covered with arches from these orders as well. The Colosseum stands as one of the crowning achievements of Roman architecture at its best.
At its opening in 80 CE, the Colosseum could accommodate 80,000 spectators at once. Divided into four levels and with multiple entrances on each level for easy access, seating was organized according to social standing; for example, seating reserved for Emperor and Vestal Virgins as well as senatorial class was in its highest tier; second tier was for Plebeians while third and fourth were set aside for freedmen/women respectively – neither women or slaves were permitted entry whereas actors/gravediggers/ former gladiators members weren’t welcome either!
The Colosseum was protected from rain or sun by a vast awning known as the velarium, which could be extended over its entirety for spectators’ comfort. Underneath its arena were tunnels and chambers which housed props, scenery and combatants used during shows; with an elaborate system of trap doors, pulleys, lifts enabling dramatic entrances of combatants or scenery alike.
Even though the Colosseum was damaged by subsequent earthquakes and stone thieves who stripped its valuable marble away (known as spolia), it still serves as an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome – so much so that its image was even featured on Italy’s version of 5 euro coins! Today it remains a major tourist draw, hosting every year Holy Week festivities.
The width of the Colosseum
The Colosseum was an immense amphitheater that hosted gladiatorial games and other spectacles. Its arena stretched 83 meters long by 48 meters wide, holding up to 87,000 spectators at any one time. Seats nearer to the stage were reserved for Romans of high social standing such as Emperor Tiberius and Senators while those closer to citizens or plebeians took up most of its seating capacity before freed slaves and women received priority seating on top tiers. Beyond just its arena, however, the Colosseum contained numerous buildings and rooms used for various events throughout its many buildings & rooms within its walls – used specifically to house and host its various events and spectacles.
The building was constructed of locally quarried travertine stone and stood up to 57 meters in height with walls reaching as high as 60 meters, decorated with marble statues and 160 larger-than-life statues. Furthermore, its arches and groin vaults made it strong enough to withstand caged animals as well as crowds who made up its audience.
As soon as it was completed, the Colosseum became a powerful symbol of Roman power and glory, serving as a venue for mock battles and public executions. Although earthquakes eventually destroyed it as well as thieves who stole its contents for themselves, its remains one of Rome’s most renowned monuments today.
Design of this elliptical building was intended to facilitate various activities taking place within its walls. Comprised of five stories, supported by a complex system of arcades and half columns, each level featured different architectural styles: Tuscan on the ground floor; Ionic columns in the middle level and Corinthian columns on upper levels – all decorated with colorful statues.
As well as hosting gladiator battles, the Colosseum was also used for dramatic presentations and historical recreations. Public celebrations took place here such as Titus’ dedication ceremony for it in 80 CE; in 82 CE Domitian completed construction by adding another storey. The Colosseum served as a focal point of entertainment for Roman citizens as well as serving as a model for later amphitheaters worldwide.
The length of the Colosseum
The Colosseum was an enormous structure built as an amphitheater during antiquity to host gladiatorial battles and other events, and covered its outer walls with Greek-influenced columns: Doric columns on its first level; Ionic on its second; Corinthian columns on its third. This design would become the basis for much Renaissance architecture.
The Colosseum was constructed of travertine stones from Tivoli quarries, set without mortar and held together with thousands of iron clamps. Capable of holding up to 80,000 spectators across three levels of seating assigned according to social class, its seating area was protected from sun and rain by a velarium dome which offered protection from both sun and rain.
Unlike its predecessors, which were dug into the ground for support, the Colosseum was constructed on an elevated piece of land. With its elliptical shape and large seating capacity, spectators could observe all aspects of arena action from any point within it – its top tier being reserved exclusively for Emperor Tiberius and his family; later rows offered seats to senators, equestrian classes, women slaves.
In addition to seating, the Colosseum featured many additional features. It had a retractable awning which provided protection from rain and sun; stairs and passageways allowed crowds to move quickly within its walls; as well as retractable roof tiles whose purpose was ventilation.
One of the hallmarks of the Colosseum was its network of tunnels running beneath it. These passageways served to transport animals and scenery for shows held inside, connecting directly with 80 vertical shafts that reached directly into its arena. Furthermore, there was also a two-level underground network of 32 animal pens.
At its height, the Colosseum hosted an array of entertainment options, from wild beast hunts and gladiatorial combat to mock sea battles and public executions. Over its first 100 days in use, more than 5,000 gladiators competed and more than 100,000 wild animals were slaughtered inside its walls.
The depth of the Colosseum
The Colosseum is an immense elliptical amphitheater constructed in Rome to accommodate gladiatorial combat between 72 and 80 AD under Emperors Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. It seats up to 80,000 spectators making it the world’s largest amphitheater. Originally called Amphitheatrum Flavium or Flavian Amphitheater when completed.
At its creation, the Colosseum was one of the greatest feats of ancient architecture ever accomplished; an embodiment of Roman ingenuity and engineering skills. Though no longer in its original condition, its presence still stands as one of Rome’s most prominent symbols.
The Colosseum was constructed of concrete, tuff and travertine stone from Tivoli area in Italy. Romans employed travertine for its durability and attractive appearance; its blocks could also easily be transported. Alongside this material was bricks, concrete that were covered with tuff for extra durability as well as over 300 tons of travertine used during construction; overall this structure weighed more than 300 tons and required approximately 100,000 cubic meters of travertine to construct.
Though enormous, the Colosseum was astonishingly efficient in its design. With an elliptical shape that allowed all spectators to view action on the arena floor and eighty entrances – two reserved for Emperor Nero and his family while ordinary citizens received 76 entrances – as well as its corridors to separate social groups while giving everyone equal visibility, its design proved itself efficient enough.
At its height of glory during gladiator games, the Colosseum was used for other public spectacles as well. These included reenactments of famous battles and plays based on Roman mythology; eventually these performances faded away, leading it to be converted into housing and shops; it even served as a quarry and Christian shrine!
The Colosseum has stood for more than 1,950 years compared to other ancient wonders like Giza or Stonehenge. Since it opened, it has experienced fires, earthquakes and human mistreatment; nonetheless it remains one of seven wonders of the world and Rome’s iconic symbol.