The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, just east of the Roman Forum. Founded AD 70–80; 1944 years ago. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world, despite its age. Construction began under the Emperor Vespasian (r. 69–79 AD) in 72 and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir, Titus (r. 79–81). Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (r. 81–96). The three emperors who were patrons of the work are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium; Italian: Anfiteatro Flavio by later classicists and archaeologists for its association with their family name (Flavius).
Thanks to Google Earth Studio for this amazing aerial view.
Thanks to Google Earth Studio for this amazing aerial view.
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00:00The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheater in the center of the city of Rome, Italy,
00:09just east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built
00:13and is still the largest standing amphitheater in the world, despite its age. Construction began
00:19under the Emperor Vespasian, 69 to 79 AD, in 72 and was completed in AD 80 under his successor
00:26and heir Titus, 79 to 81. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian,
00:3281 to 96. The three emperors who were patrons of the work are known as the Flavian dynasty.
00:38And the amphitheater was named the Flavian Amphitheater, Latin, Amphiteatrum Flavium,
00:44Italian, Amphiteatro by later classicists and archaeologists for its association with their
00:49family name, Flavius. The Colosseum is built of travertine limestone, tough, volcanic rock,
00:55and brick-faced concrete. It could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators at various
01:01points in its history. Having an average audience of some 65,000, it was used for gladiatorial
01:07contests and public spectacles including animal hunts, executions, reenactments of famous battles,
01:14dramas based on Roman mythology, and briefly mock sea battles. The building ceased to be used for
01:19entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing,
01:24workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
01:30Although substantially ruined by earthquakes and stone robbers taking Spolia,
01:34the Colosseum is still a renowned symbol of Imperial Rome and was listed as one of the new
01:39seven wonders of the world. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and has links
01:44to the Catholic Church. As each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit Way of the Cross
01:49procession that starts in the area around the Colosseum. The Colosseum is depicted on the
01:54Italian version of the five euro cent coin. Originally, the building's Latin name was
01:59simply Amphitheatrum, Amphitheater, though the modern name Flavian Amphitheater, Latin
02:04Amphitheatrum Flavium, is often used. There is no evidence it was used in classical antiquity.
02:11This name refers to the patronage of the Flavian dynasty, during whose reigns the
02:14building was constructed. But the structure is better known as the Colosseum. In antiquity,
02:20Romans may have referred to the Colosseum by the unofficial name Amphitheatrum Caesareum,
02:25with Caesareum in adjective about the title Caesar. But this name may have been strictly
02:30poetic as it was not exclusive to the Colosseum. Vespasian and Titus, builders of the Colosseum,
02:36also constructed a Flavian Amphitheater in Pudioli, modern Pozzuoli, interior of the Colosseum by
02:42late 19th-century photographer Francis Frith.The name Colosseum is believed to be derived from a
02:47colossal statue of Nero on the model of the Colossus of Rhodes. The giant bronze sculpture
02:52of Nero as a solar deity was moved to its position beside the Amphitheater by the emperor Hadrian
02:58117-138. The word Colosseum is a neuter Latin noun formed from the adjective Colosseus,
03:05meaning gigantic, or colossean. By the year 1000 the Latin name, Colosseum, had been coined to
03:11refer to the amphitheater from the nearby, Colossus Solis. The spelling was sometimes
03:16altered in medieval Latin. Colosseum and Colosseum are attested from the 12th and 14th centuries
03:22respectively. That is all. Subscribe and post comments for future videos.
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