The Coliseum, found in the very heart of Rome, Italy, is one of the few architectural feats made by man that has endured the forces of nature and time. Even fires and earthquakes haven't subdued the great edifice. Centuries have passed while the immense structure has fallen into ruins, but even today, it is a grand and stunning sight. The Coliseum (originally named Flavian Amphitheater) could accommodate a large crowd of around 50,000 attendees. To accommodate this large crowd they used methods which are similar to our modern day for crowd control. In place of tickets, shards of pottery with section and row numbers directed the spectators to their designated seating sections. To disburse the large crowd in case of emergency there were eighty entrances with each entrance and exit numbered.
It is known that the construction of the Coliseum was started by Emperor Vespasian (the first emperor of the Flavian Dynasty) around 72 AD. The funding for this undertaking came from the ransacking of Jerusalem. It took 8 years before its completion in 80 AD which was after Vespasian's death.
The imposing building was intended for public displays such as executions and dramas themed on Classical mythology. Another use for the coliseum was the famous gladiatorial contests where slaves were made to fight each other to death for the prize of freedom. The coliseum is considered as a ceremonial monument constructed in the Roman tradition of celebrating triumphs intended for placating the Roman people.
The still marble and stones of the remnant shout their story deep within. A look at the remnant would give us a glimpse of the glorious (yet bloody) past of Imperial Rome. It retells the victory of the warriors who fought for their lives. It reminds us of the lingering roars of the audience which was the last sound the fallen gladiators heard as they slowly dropped to the sand, crimsoned by their own blood. It recounts all the bloody games which ironically became the iconic symbol of the empire's prestige and power.
Hosting more than a million visitors annually, the Coliseum remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome. Most of these people come to witness firsthand the grandiose archeological remains and the unbelievable feat of architecture.
The Coliseum proved many things in history. It served as concrete proof of the architectural genius of its creator and showed that the hands of time could never wash into oblivion the glorious past of the Roman Empire as long as remnants of the Coliseum stand firm on the ground.
The author enjoys history and travel.
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