The Coliseum of Rome

The Coliseum

The Coliseum is one of Rome's most famous buildings. It reminds people of ancient Romans culture and the deadly games that took place back then. The Coliseum was built in Rome, Italy around 80 AD. The Emperor at the time was Vaspacian. He decided to build the coliseum to attract people from around the world but he never finished it. However, his son Titus was the one who completed the Coliseum.

The Coliseum was originally built with four floors. The first three floors had arched entrances, while the fourth floor had rectangular doorways. The floors each measured between 32-42 feet in height. The total height of the coliseum was approximately 144 feet. The arena in the coliseum measured 237 by 135 feet, and consisted of wood and sand. The word "arena" is from the Latin language and means "sand." When the arena was in use the people set up nets along the sides of the arena to protect the audience. The coliseum when completed could hold up to 45,000 people who would come to see games or gladiators compete against each other often until one was killed. Gladiator’s fights were often held in the coliseum until 404 A.D. The Coliseum has been damaged several times by earthquakes. However, much of the coliseum is still standing today.

The audience, upon entering the coliseum, climbed sloping ramps to get to their seats. The seating arrangements were given our according to gender and social class. The higher the social status the better seats they received. For example, women and the poor would have to stand or sit on wooden benches in the fourth tier because they were considered lower class. To protect the people not only nets were set up but also enormous awnings to protect them against bad or very hot weather...

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... events. In fact today, it can only hold a few hundred people at a time using temporary seating. However, in the past 40 years there have been larger concerts held outside the Coliseum. Performers who have played on the outside of the Coliseum included Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Billy Joel.

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6. Colosseum stages peace concert, BBC News Online, 12 May 2002.

7. Jump up, McCartney rocks the Colosseum, BBC News Online, 12 May 2003.

8. Jump up, Sir Elton's free gig thrills Rome, BBC News