Ipsley CE RSA Academy | A Central RSA Academy



Roman Colosseum Facts INCLUDEPICTURE "/var/folders/p1/435yccwn295_g63448zcn59h0000gp/T/com.microsoft.Word/WebArchiveCopyPasteTempFiles/page1image3840736" \* MERGEFORMATINET The Colosseum is a massive stone amphitheatre built in 70 A.D. in the city of Rome, Italy. In ancient times, it was called the Flavian Amphitheatre and was built by the Emperor Vespasian for public games, gladiator combats and animal fights. Historical Background ★ ?The term Colosseum came from the Latin word colosseus in reference to the statue of Emperor Nero, which was put up near to the amphitheatre. ★ ?Ancient Rome experienced a series of civil wars after the death of Emperor Nero in 68 A.D. The fourth emperor after Nero was Vespasian, who ruled the city for 10 years. Along with his sons, Titus and Domitian, they were known as the Flavian Emporers.Roman Colosseum Facts ★ ?In 70 A.D., Emperor Vespasian started the building of a grand amphitheatre on the site of Nero’s Golden Palace. He returned the centre of the city to the Roman people for the public to enjoy many forms of entertainment such as gladiatorial combats. ★ ?After some years, Emperor Titus dedicated the opening of the amphitheatre with 100 days of games. ★ Like his father, Titus was a well-loved emperor. The final construction of the amphitheatre was done by his brother, Domitian. Structure and Events at the Grand Amphitheatre ★ ?The amphitheatre covers six acres of land. It stands 50 meters high, 189 meters long, and 156 meters wide. Its outer circumference measures 545 meters and had a capacity to accommodate an audience of 50,000 to 80,000 people. ★ ?Unlike other ancient Roman amphitheatres, the Colosseum is a freestanding stone and concrete structure at the centre of the city. It was not built on a hillside. ★ ?Over 60,000 Jewish slaves and skilled Roman builders took nine years to build it. The exterior had three stories of arched entrances supported by semi-circular columns. Roman Colosseum Facts ★ ?Emperor Domitian added the hypogeum beneath the arena. The hypogeum is tunnels with 32 animal pens. He also included a gallery (balcony) at the top to increase audience capacity. ★ Spectators were presumably seated according to social ranking. INCLUDEPICTURE "/var/folders/p1/435yccwn295_g63448zcn59h0000gp/T/com.microsoft.Word/WebArchiveCopyPasteTempFiles/page3image9211440" \* MERGEFORMATINET ★ ?The velarium was a retractable awning covering the Colosseum, which provided shade in the hot and sunny climate. ★ ?Early Romans watched gladiator combats, wild animal fights, animal hunting, dramas based on mythology, executions and mock sea battles at the amphitheatre. During mock sea battles, the floor of the arena was flooded with water. ★ ?Most of the gladiators who fought at the Colosseum were slaves, prisoners or criminals. Gladiators had different entrance and exit doors.Roman Colosseum Facts ★ ?During games, the emperor would be seated in the pulvinar, located at the podium. There were 42 emperors who witnessed the carnage at the amphitheatre. ★ ?Wild and exotic animals provided spectacle to early Romans. Wild boars, bulls, bears, stags, deer, dogs, wolves, buffalo, snakes, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, crocodiles, jaguars, apes, elephants and rhinoceros were shown. ★ ?The Roman Colosseum was in active use for four centuries. By the 6th century A.D., the Western Roman Empire struggled to put an end to large public entertainment along with gladiator fights. At the same time, some parts of the arena were damaged by lighting and earthquakes. ★ ?Later, materials from the Colosseum were used in building large infrastructure like the St. Peter’s Cathedral, Palazzo Venezia and fortifications along the Tiber River. ★ By the 20th century, nearly two-thirds of the amphitheatre had experienced damage due to natural disasters, vandalism and neglect. ★ In 2007, the Roman Colosseum was listed among the New Seven Wonders of the World, along with the Great Wall of China, the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Mayan pyramid of Chichen Itza, and India’s Taj Mahal. INCLUDEPICTURE "/var/folders/p1/435yccwn295_g63448zcn59h0000gp/T/com.microsoft.Word/WebArchiveCopyPasteTempFiles/page4image9220400" \* MERGEFORMATINET ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download