In the eighth century Venerable Bede wrote, “So long as the Colosseum stands, Rome stands; when the Colosseum will fall, Rome will also fall….” Even in modern Rome, the Colosseum is one of the few monuments from the ancient world that has not been overshadowed and dwarfed by modern architecture. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum was the show piece of the Flavian emperors reigning from 69 to 98 AD. As Vespasian Flavian came to power after a vicious eighteen month civil war , the need to establish his own reign and line of succession was immense. When coming to power each new dynasty had two imperative priorities: to quickly establish its own authority and legitimacy and to discredit the previous dynasty. Vespasian …show more content…
This was a brilliant calculated political gesture to get rid Nero’s memory with a monument dedicated to public entertainment rather than private imperial luxury. Martial, a Roman poet during the Flavian dynasty, wrote in On the Spectacles that the “lofty scaffolding rises in the middle of the road, once gleamed the odious halls of a cruel monarch, and in all Rome there stood a single house. Where rises before our eyes the august pile of the Amphitheater, was once Nero’s lake… Rome has been restored to herself, and under your rule…the pleasances that belonged to a master now belong to the people.” The choosing of this placement was a way for Vespasian to right the wrong in which Nero had angered the Roman people. Vespasian returned the land to the Roman people. Although by the Middle Ages the structure was known as the Colosseum, the name comes from a statue that the Flavian dynast left up just outside of the amphitheatre. This statue was originally Nero, called ‘The Colosssus,’ however Vespasian had the head changed to that of the sun god, Apollo. While Vespasian at the time discredited Nero, yet in the end Nero helped shape and create a name for the monument meant to disgrace him. Vespasian had various factors in his favor in asserting his
From about 50 BCE to the year 200 CE, the Roman Empire was a powerful nation. Rome was the city that became the center of the Roman Empire and by 200 BCE Rome became a powerhouse. The Romans conquered Scotland to Spain, controlled the Mediterranean Sea, and established colonies in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Minor. By the year 44 BCE Julius Caesar became a Roman Emperor and Rome had a great military. Then around the 5th century CE the Roman Empire began to weaken. The primary reasons for the fall of Rome was because of the Roman Emperors, the Roman Army, and foreign invasion.
The Julio-Claudian Dynasty began in 27 B.C and ended in 68 A.D, introducing the very first five Roman Emperors: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. These five emperors ruled the Roman Empire in the 1st century second half until the Julio-Claudian Dynasty ended when the last of the successors of Augustus, Nero, took his own life. Each emperor contributed to the expansion of Roman Empire during the Julio-Dynasty whether it was, commissioning or being honored with a monument, or painting, sculptures, and mosaic artworks. During the growth of the Roman Empire, many leaders had their own goals for the city whether it was beneficial to the empire or harmful. But how did the Roman Empire, Julio-Claudian Dynasty, come about and how and
In Rome the buildings were constructed under Roman Empire. The Roman Colosseum was constructed between 69 to 79 CE by the Vespasian emperor, The Circus Maximum was built in the 2nd century B.C by the high emperor, in 31 B.C the fire destroyed it that led Emperor Augustus to rebuild the Circus in 82 AD, Ludus Magnus was a gladiatorial training school in Rome and it was originally built between 81-96AD by Emperor Domitian. The emperor’s theme was large public stone buildings that would bring the people of Rome together and also the emperor was rich and they had manpower. The emperors also patron towards the workers and also to prove that they are the great leaders. The emperors had money, a lot of workers to build the buildings to the Emperor’s satisfaction. The buildings were used by the public as entertainment where they would go and watch all sorts of races & fights.
...m. This huge circular arena was the pinnacle of the Roman Gladiatorial games, and though it isn't fully intact, it is a great reminder of ancient culture. Though today these games seem inhumane and unnecessary, to their ancient culture it was a vacation from everyday stress. Even the Emperor was said to understand that though money and grain would satisfy and individual, large spectacles were necessary for the contentment of the masses' (wes civ).
When discussing the historical and cultural aspects it is important to take into consideration the culture, religion, political, social, economic and artistic aspects of the time period.The construction of the Colosseum occurred during the Flavian Dynasty, between 69 CE to 96 CE. The construction of this massive amphitheater began in 70 CE under the reign of emperor Vespasian and ended sometime around 80 CE under the reign of his son Titus (Vespasian, 2013). During this time period Vespasian was greatly known for his reorganization of the army and the expansion of the membership of the senate, which ultimately dealt with the political, economic and military aspect of the Roman history and culture.
seating and the easiest access to the Colosseum. Even though many people think that the
Augustus created the office of emperor with the Augustan Principate, which was “to have no institutionalized authoritarian power, no perpetual dictatorship such as Julius Caesar had had himself voted early in 44, or anything like it (Stockton, 124).” Despite his wishes the people of Rome ended up giving Augustus eternal office, and powers to control the Senate with the rights to dictate agendas and veto (Stockton, 128). The people of Rome had created a position of absolute power, the exact thing Augustus was attempting to prevent. At the time, the people of Rome could not have realized what they were creating in the office of emperor, for Augustus was a great man whose leadership created a great shadow over the shoulder of any future emperor. Augustus would be followed by the Julio-Claudian dynasty, which reigned over the beginnings of Imperial Rome.
During the middle and late third century Roman republic era gave rise to the arena games and became a great phenomenon for the Romans. An amphitheater, also known as a coliseum, housed these dangerous games that potentially harmed the audience as well as those who participated in them. Gladiatorial combat originated as part of funerals for deceased influential Romans. These large gladiatorial games were held by emperors during funerals of important roman officials, but were also included during other occasions. Over time the connection among the gladiator games and funerals decreased, and the upper class put on the games mainly to raise their social standing and gain favor with the public. Many politicians held these highly known games to help them sway votes of power and popularity (Meijer 2003, 27). “The arena was the embodiment of the empire.” (Futrell 1997, 209). The contestants, or the gladiators, had more significance of the Roman Empire beyond that as their role of entertainment.
Like the famous saying goes, Rome wasn 't built in a day, and that couldn 't be truer. There are many things that led to the founding of Rome, and those things ultimately led to the great Roman Empire that controlled Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia at its peak. The events that led up to the widely accepted founding date of 753 BC, can mostly be attributed to the geography of the area that became known as Rome, although there is a significant legend that includes a murderous twin. Overall, through Greek and Etruscan influences, the geography of Rome led to the founding of the republic as a trade depot.
According to roman mythology, Rome was founded thanks to two brothers, Romulus and Remus. Both found a city near the Tiber river and chose a hill to begin their own settlement. However, taunting and teasing from Remus brought upon his death at the hands of his very own brother, Romulus. Romulus then of course named is city after himself, Rome. An ancient civilization full of wars, peace, greed, a disciplined navy, an efficient bureaucracy and rebellion, Ancient Rome was an empire of high status. Many features of Ancient Rome are still present in some cultures today. However, it’s the question of How and why. Law, certain practices, and war were main events in roman history.
The Roman Republic began in 509 B.C.E. with the overthrow of the Etruscan monarchy. In 27 B.C.E the Roman Empire began with Octavian Caesar becoming the emperor, this ended almost 500 years of republican self-government. There is much debate over why Rome became so powerful so quickly. Many think it had to do with Rome’s military strength. Others think that it was because Rome knew of and controlled most of the trade routes. Still others believed it had to do with the technology that was advanced during the Roman Republic. All of these factors played significant roles, but which one played the most important role?
The Colosseum, one of Rome’s most famous structures, is located east of the Roman Forum in Piazza del Colosseo in Rome, Italy. As a gift to the Roman people, Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty commissioned the Colosseum around AD 70-72. Titus, Emperor Vespasian’s son and successor, opened it officially in AD 80. The Colosseum is able to hold roughly 50,000 spectators, making it the largest amphitheater in Rome. The Colosseum is a symbol of how advanced Romans were in architecture and building. This monument represents strength, power, cruelty and violence. Thousands of people, most commonly criminals and professional fighters, even animals, have been killed inside the walls of the Colosseum.
There are many drastic changes that happen throughout the course of civilizations’ histories. This can be proven through the civilization of Rome. Although Rome was one of the longest civilizations that had lasted, it had its many ups and downs. Beginning as a republic, it moved around a great amount, figuring out who Rome was in the long run. Rome has a vast history that dealt with a republic, an empire, and many, many conflicts.
“The Romans are often characterized as loving violent and cruel entertainment in the amphitheatre. It has been suggested that the games served the dual purpose of providing entertainment for the people and maintaining the political status quo.”
...s were outlawed by Emperor Constantine I in AD 325. Combats, however, continued long after that. The last recorded gladiatorial battle was recorded in 404 AD. Even after this, the Colosseum was put to further use. Parts of the Colosseum were torn down and donated, in the production of other buildings (mostly churches) in Rome.