Colosseum from the Top Wall - Ancient Rome Live (AIRC)

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The Colosseum (the Flavian amphitheater) is the largest amphitheater the Romans ever constructed, with a circumference of 545 m, height of 50 m, 189m long and 156 wide. The exterior wall of travertine stone has been estimated to 100,000 tons of travertine blocks. It was known as the Flavian Amphitheater in antiquity and first cited as “Colosseum” by the Venerable Bede in the 8th Century CE, in possible reference to the lost Colossus that was located next to it in the Hadrianic era.

The structure was built by Vespasian with funds from his successful war in Judaea, as per the dedicatory inscription, on the site of the stagnum of Nero’s Golden House that once extended from the Palatine to the Esquiline. The project began in 70 and was completed and inaugurated by Titus in 80 CE (as per Martial’s De Spectaculis) for approximately 50,000 spectators. A massive fire damaged and put the Colosseum out of commission in 217 CE for a number of years. (Cassius Dio 79.25).

The Colosseum was in use for gladiatorial games as the principal activity until 434 CE. Animal games continued until 523 CE. All the while, continual restorations took place to repair damage after earthquakes from the 3rd Century - 6th Century CE.

Find out more about the Colosseum at https://ancientromelive.org/colosseum-amphitheatrum-flavium-of-nero/

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