Anthony Rivetti

The Colosseum

Rome’s Colosseum is one of the most iconic structures in the great city and even in the

world. An architectural marvel built almost two thousand years ago, the great arena remains in

the heart of Rome today, partially damaged from the years of rough weather as well as

vandalism, but still standing as a symbol of the impressive power and intelligence of Rome. It

is one of the most popular attractions in the eternal city. Rome’s great power is displayed in the

genius of the architecture, as well as how the events within the walls were conducted almost

two thousand years ago.

Construction of the colosseum began between 70 and 72 AD under Emperor Vespasian.

Vespasian wanted to build the great arena as a gift to the Roman people. It provided them with

entertainment, demonstrated Rome’s power, and marked the beginning of a new era following

a civil war in Rome. After Nero’s death, the two most powerful families, the Flavians, led by

Vespasian, and the Vitellians, warred for control of Rome. Vespasian emerged victorious and

instituted the Flavian dynasty. Once he became emperor, he began to rebuild Rome. Vespasian

decided to build the colosseum over the Domus Aurea, the palace of Nero. He filled in a

manmade lake that was part of that palace, and ordered the construction of the arena over this

location (1,3).

The amphitheater opened 10 years later under the rule of Vespasian’s son, Titus,

because Vespasian had died of illness. The arena was officially named the Flavian
Amphitheater, but was known to many as the colosseo, either due to the great size of the

amphitheater or because of the colossal statue of Nero that stood in the plaza in front of the

arena. The colosseum was huge; it stood four stories – over 45 meters – high, and spanned 189

meters across at its longest, and 156 meters at its shortest. The amphitheater was an ellipsoid.

The arena floor, where the action took place, measured 87.5 meters at its longest and 54.8

meters at its shortest (2).

The colosseum was built using several materials. Locally quarried limestone was one of

the major materials used, along with brick, marble, concrete, tufa, and pumice stone. The

amphitheater combines elements of both Roman and Greek architecture. The bottom row of

arches are supported by Roman-style column, with the top three rows supported by Greek-style

columns. This was symbolic of the Roman foundation with influences from elsewhere. There

were also a number of statues of gods and goddesses in the openings surrounding the

colosseum. There was also a Roman twist on Greek architecture seen in the basic shape of the

arena. Greeks used a semi-circular shape, while the colosseum used a full, enclosed ellipsoid

(1,2).

While the colosseum is most often remembered for the gladiator battles, animal fights,

and public executions, one aspect of entertainment that is often overlooked is the naval battle

reenactments. The ability to fill the entire colosseum with water and drain it in time for a land

battle in the same day reveals the true genius of the Romans (4).
 One impressive aspect of events held in the colosseum was the naval battle

reenactments performed inside the arena. The first 100 days after the opening of the

amphitheater were marked by constant animal fights, gladiator battles, and naval battles. Titus

had the amphitheater filled with water and brought in ships to reenact the battle between the

Corcyreans and the Corintheans. Water was brought into the colosseum using four tunnels, and

it was funneled out using a system of about forty smaller tunnels. This ability to move water

quickly into and out of the colosseum was truly impressive for the time (4).

Today, the Roman colosseum remains one of the greatest symbols of the eternal city.

About 3.9 million people visit the arena each year to get a glimpse into life two thousand years

ago. Researchers continue to search for explanations for how the ancient Romans could

transport an elephant into the amphitheater and raise it into the arena and how tens of thousands

of gallons of water were transported into and out of the colosseum in a single day (1).

In conclusion, the colosseum and the events it held demonstrate the true power and

intelligence of the Roman Empire. The arena has stood for nearly two thousand years, and it

remains a popular tourist attraction and symbol of the city. The ability of the Romans to fill the

entire arena with water and drain it in the same day shows how advanced their technology

really was. Experts are still baffled at the accomplishments of the Romans considering the

simplicity of their technology.

 Works Cited

1. https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/colosseum

2. https://www.ancient.eu/Colosseum/

3. http://www.jeffbondono.com/TouristInRome/EmperorVespasian.html

4. https://earlychurchhistory.org/entertainment/naval-battles-in-the-colosseum/