The Colosseum

The Colosseum The Colosseum, which stands near the center of present-day Rome, is perhaps the finest surviving example of ancient Roman architectural engineering. The Colosseum, a grand amphitheater was constructed during the reign of the Emperor Vespasian, who ruled from 69 to 79 AD. Construction was completed in 80 AD. The Colosseum gets its name from the statue, or a colossus, that stood near the amphitheater. The statue was originally of Nero, but he was so unpopular after …

…Later, however, cages for people and animals were installed beneath the arena. A wall separated the arena from spectators whose seats rested on sloping concrete supports. The spectators would sit according to gender and social class. Women and the poor stood or sat on wooden benches in the fourth tier. Seating capacity of the Colosseum is estimated around 80,000. Awnings, or velarium, could be hung from the walls to protect spectators from the sun or rain.