The Colosseum

Known as the greatest amphitheater in the antiquity, the Roman Colosseum was built about 1900 years ago by Vespasian. It is considered one of the greatest architectural achievements of the Antiquity and is proof of the grandeur of the Roman Empire. The Colosseum was built in the place of an artificial lake, sign of Nero's reign. Titus, Vespasian's successor, held hundred-day hames to inaugurate to newly finished construction in 80 AD.

Originally capable of seating 45,000–50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for holding gladiator contests and shows for the Roman people. The crowd watched shows involving exotic animals, naval battle simulations and fights with lions. The most popular games held were the venationes  (hunts) and the munera (gladiatorial games).

The Colosseum is built in the shape of an ellipse, measuring externally 188 m x 156 m, reaching a height of more than 48 meter. The amphitheater has eight entrances so that spectators could arrive and leave easily. The Colosseum remained intact until the 8th century. After that, Pope Paul III ordered to take stones from the building in order to built his palace.

The Colosseum remained in use for four and a half centuries. In 217, the Colosseum went through considerable damages after a fire was started by a lightning. The Colosseum suffered damages throughout several centuries, inflicted by earthquakes or plunders. As a result, two thirds of the original construction have been destroyed and the present site is only a shadow of the great ancient wonder. The last battle among gladiators was held in 404, while the last hunt in 523. 

Today, the Colosseum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Modern Rome, being visited by millions of visitors every year. Even today, in a world full of skyscrapers or other impressive buildings, the Colosseum stands as a glorious monument of the world.