The Roman Colosseum

Formerly known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum was originally built by Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty. Vaspasian began building the Colosseum in the year of 72 C.E., it was completed eight years later by his eldest son, Titus. Made of four different levels, it stands 48.5m high. The amphitheatre is built in an elliptical shape measuring 188m in length and 156m wide. The arena was built to hold fifty thousand Roman spectators. Underneath the sand covered wooden floor was a labyrinth of cages, chambers and passageways in which the animals were held. This underground lair

was equipped with a system of ramps and pulleys to quickly launch wild animals into the arena. Occasionally, the floor would be removed and these chambers would be quickly flooded for mock naval battles and amphibious gladiator fights, called naumachia. The Colosseum was prepared to entertain crowds with a large variety of different spectacles to see.

Payne, Robert, The Horizon Book of Ancient Rome, 318.

17. Scarre, Chris, Chronicles of the Roman Emperors, 71.

6. Seneca, Letters to Lucilius, VII.

10. Freeman, Charles, The World of the Romans, 73.

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