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The Colosseum has been a witness of Gladiator fights, speeches, theatre and many more entertaining acts. It is the biggest Amphitheatre ever built and holds a significant historical value. We all enjoy watching matches and theatre, well and this is a legacy we have been carrying on since the start of mankind; the ancient Romans enjoyed watching sports and this is what the Colosseum was meant for. In this article we will get to know the things that make Colosseum of Rome so special. 

 The arena is unlike any other ancient theaters, the oval-shaped, freestanding amphitheater was a Roman invention. The Roman-made architectural specimen holds towering elliptical tiers that rise to 180 ft (55 m) from the heart of the city. The Roman prided themselves on their engineering skills, and the Colosseum served as the magnificent masterpiece that flaunted their craftsmanship. To that end, the entire building was constructed from over a volume of 100,000 cubic m of travertine stones and tufa. These stone blocks were placed without any mortar. Below the Colosseum were numerous rooms and underground passages. Here is where the animals and gladiators were kept, waiting to meet their fate in the arena above. 

Colosseum or the Flavian amphitheatre is in the centre of Rome, Italy. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in AD 72 and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (81?96). These three emperors are known as the Flavian dynasty, thus explaining the name of the theatre.

The theatre could hold up to 60,000 people and the audience watched impeccably choreographed mock battles, exotic animal parades and merciless slaughtering, and even the legendary gladiatorial fights. When the Colosseum was officially opened by Emperor Titus there was an exhibition of more than 5,000 wild animals, the variety included animals like rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, giraffes, Barbary lions, Caspian tigers, crocodiles, ostriches, and elephants. 

The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever built. It is oval in shape and measures 189m long, 156m wide and 50m high (about the height of a 12 storey building). This ancient sporting arena could easily fit a modern day football pitch inside. The theatre had 80 entrances and could seat approximately 60,000 spectators. 

In 80AD the Romans during the construction of the Colosseum came up with a very clever idea to beat the scorching heat, to protect the spectators from the blistering sun and heat of Ancient Rome, there was the Velarium ? a sheet of canvas that could be pulled over the top of the seating area to provide shade to the spectators. 

Tourist site 

2-3rd of the Colosseum had been destroyed by the natural calamities, its walls have fallen, but the architectural wonder still continues to be a major tourist attraction in Rome with thousands of tourists each year entering to view the interior arena. There is now a museum dedicated to Eros located in the upper floor of the outer wall of the building. It is used as a site of Roman Catholic ceremonies in the 20th and 21st centuries. In 2007 it was included in the New Seven Wonders of the World.       

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