Colosseum, Rome.

Located just East of the Roman Forum- the iconic symbol of Rome, the Colosseum can be spotted. The Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheatre is a massive arena measuring about 620 by 513 feet (190 by 155 meters).

The Colosseum was built in the first century CE under the emperors of the Flavian dynasty: Vaspasian (69-79 CE), Titus (79-81 CE) and construction was then finished under Domitian (81-96 AD). (1) The arena was used to host public entertainment such as gladiator fights, wild animal hunts and public executions from 80 CE to 404 CE. (1)After four centuries of active use, the magnificent arena fell into neglect, and up until the 18th century it was used as a source of building materials for the surrounding buildings. (2)

The construction begun in 72 CE on the location that was once the lake and gardens of the Emperor Nero. For precaution against earthquake damage, the lake was drained and filled with a concrete foundation 6 meters deep. The exterior envelope consists of 80 arched entrances stacked creating 3 stories and organized by order of the columns style- Doric on the bottom, then iconic and on the top Corinthian columns allowing for easy access to 55,000 spectators who would then be seated inside by ranking. Just outside the Coliseum is the Arch of Constantine (Arco di Costantino), a 25m high monument built in AD315 to mark the victory of Constantine over Maxentius at Pons Milvius. (2)

The top floor had Corinthian pilasters and small rectangular windows. There were no less than eighty entrances, seventy-six of these were numbered and tickets were sold for each. Encircling the arena was a wide marble terrace (podium) protected by a wall within which were the prestigious ring-side seats or boxes from where the Emperor and other dignitaries would watch the events. Beyond this area, marble seats were divided into zones: those for richer private citizens, middle class citizens, slaves and foreigners and finally wooden seats and standing room in the flat roofed colonnade on the top tier reserved for women and the poor. On top of this roof platform sailors were employed to manage the large awning (velarium) which protected the spectators from rain or provided shade on hot days. The different levels of seats were accessed by broad staircases with each landing and seat being numbered. The total capacity for the Colosseum was approximately 45,000 seated and 5,000 standing spectators.

One of the oldest depictions of the Colosseum appeared on the coins of Titus and shows three tiers, statues in the upper external arches and the large column fountain which stood nearby. Under the arena floor which is now visable is a maze of small compartment rooms, corridors and animal pens. Damaged by earthquake in 422 CE it was repaired by the emperors Theodosius II and Valentinian III.

Repairs were also made in 467, 472 and 508 CE.  The venue continued to be used for wrestling matches and animal hunts up to the 6th century CE but the building began to show signs of neglect and grass was left to grow in the arena. In the 12th century CE it became a fortress of the Frangipani and Annibaldi families. The great earthquake of 1231 CE caused the collapse of the southwest facade and the Colosseum became a vast source of building material - stones and columns were removed, iron clamps holding blocks together were stolen and statues were melted for lime.

Works Cited: http://www.ancient.eu/Colosseum/

http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/colosseum/videos/deconstructing-history-colosseum?cmpid=mrss_int_taboola_video_his

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/flav/hd_flav.htm

http://www.rome.info/colosseum/