This topic was posted , thanks bitt.
Posted on 10/23/2022 8:29:46 PM PDT by bitt
The Colosseum, a symbol of modern Rome, was finished in 80 AD and became the main center for entertainment in Rome. It was built of travertine marble, is elliptically shaped and c. 1,729’ in circumference on a foundation of six acres. It has four stories and is c. 157’ high. On the top story was an enormous awning, the velarium that protected the spectators from the sun and inclement weather. It required 1,000 men to open and to close this Full Colosseumingenious device. The four arches at the four axes of the building were the main entrances, but 76 other entrances provided easy access to the seats. Moderns calculate the seating capacity at 50,000. But the Chronographia of 354, written in 354, says the stadium held 87,000 spectators.
Admission to the Colosseum was generally free, but the plebs had to have a ticket, a tessare. They lined up the night before to get these coveted prizes. The pottery ticket was presented to the usher who indicated the seat. If a shard read “CVN II GRAD VI LOC IV,” it meant the ticket holder was in Section 2, Row 6, Seat 4. For the plebs the seats were wooden planks placed over the marble tiers. The senators and patricians had the choice cushioned seats at the bottom of the arena. Women and children were relegated to the highest tier far from the action.
And what action there was. Never before or since has the world seen the likes of the spectacles in the Colosseum. When the giant amphitheater was inaugurated by Emperor Titus in 80, there were one hundred days of events in the arena as a celebration. On opening day, 5,000 wild animals and 4,000 tame animals were “hunted” and killed by venatores, slaves trained to put on a good show before they slew the animals. These wild animal hunts in a contained area (Latin Arena Entryvenationes) had been going on for years before the Colosseum. They were originally held in the Circus Maximus, but often the cornered animals jumped into the stands and killed or mauled spectators.
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Yes and it is GREAT! The history of this great building is the history of Rome.
yes it is great, I recorded all 8 still have 3 more to watch
This topic was posted , thanks bitt.
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