by Emele Maisey

Created on: December 17, 2008   Last Updated: January 17, 2009

We all know about the gladiators who fought and died in the Colosseum arena for the amusement of the vast crowds but what about the actual building itself and it's many uses over four and a half centuries

Located in the heart of Rome the Colosseum was the largest Amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire and one of the greatest works of Roman architecture with the building standing over 160 ft high and covering six acres.

Funded by a vast quantity of treasure seized by the Romans after their victory in the Great Jewish Revolt in 70AD the Colosseum was a monument built to remember past victories and a symbol of the wealth and power of the Roman Empire.

Construction of the Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheatre as it was originally known began in 70-72AD under the emperor Vespasian. He chose the Colosseum site which was previously an artificial lake as a gesture of returning an area of the peoples city which Nero had previously appropriated for his own use when he was in reign a decade before. Sadly Vespasian died just one year before his idea and creation was completed.

Titus, Vespian's son and successor completed the construction in 80AD when it was officially opened having finished the top level. It took 10years to build, a remarkably quick process in those times due to the first use of concrete along with stone and marble.

Modifications were made during Domitian's reign who was Vespasian's youngest son; he had a series of underground tunnels constructed (hypogeum) which were used to house slaves and animals. He also wanted to increase the seating capacity so a gallery was added to the top of the structure. A fire caused by lightening 140 years later would destroy the wooden seating area of the top level.

It is thought that 50,000 spectators could enter and be seated in the Colosseum in just 15 minutes. The Romans invented tickets and assigned seating just like we have today in football stadiums, each person would have a ticket with a number that corresponded with which arch to enter through, the level they were to be seated at and a seat number.

The Colosseum is well known for its sporting gladiatorial contests but other public spectacles and drama shows were also held here including mock sea battles (although this has been the subject of some debate amongst historians How was the arena waterproofed?) , re-enactments of famous battles, executions, dramas based on Classical mythology. Often for the shows, a simulation would be created, such as a forest with real trees

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