The Colosseum - Rome, Italy

I had a short stay in Rome while on my way to Florence and I couldn't stop in Rome for any length of time without attempting to sightsee. I had one free day and decided to visit the Colosseum.

 The Colosseum

A little background on the Colosseum: The Colosseum was built in Rome during 70-80 AD, during the rule of the Roman Emporers Vespasian (69-79 AD) and Titus (79-81 AD). The structure was built over the tyrant Nero's artificial lake, which was drained prior to the start of construction, by Vespasian. The Colosseum was built as part of an attempt to revitalize Rome. The structure could house fifty thousand Romans and was used a a venue for hosting animal hunts, gladiator fights, and mock naval battles (the lower level of Colesseum could be flooded to create an artificial lake).

In the picture below you see the middle of the Colosseum. The stone walls in the center were not part of the original construction and it was this area that was flooded and where mock naval battles took place. There was a platform that could be extended over the pit to cover the entire center creating a stage for hunts, battles, and other games.  Only a portion of the platform exists today.

The hypogeum (Greek word for "underground"), was later added to the center of the Colosseum to house the animals and Gladiators. It was a labyrinth like structure made up of a series of arches, tunnels, passageways, and 36 trap doors used to make the animals and Gladiators magically appear on the Colosseum floor, making the events especially exciting for the spectators.

 

 

 

       

Throughout history, the Colosseum was used for various purposes. In medieval times it was a church, later a fortress for the Roman families Frangipane and Annibaldi. Over the years lightening, earthquakes, vandalism, and pollution all contributed to degradation of the Colosseum and the site became little more than a quarry for approximately a thousand years. 

Pope Pius VIII led efforts to begin preservation of the Colosseum during the 19th century. During the 1990s a restoration project was started that resulted in the Colosseum as we see it today.  Preservation and maintenance of the structure is and will continue to be an ongoing process. Plans are currently in place to rebuild the floor (stage).

It is hard to imagine the sheer size of the Colosseum. It is oval in shape and measures 620 by 513 feet (To give some perspective, an American football field is 300 feet long), The Colisseum stands four stories high and is constructed with travertine, volcanic tufa, and concrete. Spectators were shaded from the sun by a huge retractable awning, known as a velarium, that had to be manipulated into place by hundreds of Roman sailors. 

A closer look at the hypogeum and what remains of the original floor.

 The Colosseum was a notable presence even from a distance, but as I got closer and closer the sheer size became breathtaking.  I'm sure, like many other tourists, my awe was written on my face. I got in line to get a ticket to go inside the structure and while I was waiting I started to think about how much time and labor had to have been put into the building of this magnificent structure. At the entrance, I was greeted by a hallway with soaring ceilings held up by stone pillars. These hallways connected to arched stairways that created entrances where the general population entered the inner sanctum of the structure.  Stone stairways were dispersed along the perimeter allowing multiple choices for entry into onto various levels. I couldn't help but think of all the feet that had climbed these steps before me over the last two centuries. Imagine - as far back as 70 to 80 years after the death of Christ there were humans here at the very spot I was standing.  

 

Dedication Plaque                                 Original forged steel pillar support

One of the things I like to do when I travel is to imagine who walked the path before me.  Whether I am stepping on the soil around some pagan structure, walking along the shoreline of some sea, climbing the seemingly never ending steps of a castle, or following a pathway, I often wonder: Whose footsteps am I stepping in? What really happened here? Were the citizens captivated by the sights like me or did they just take them for granted? 

How many people have walked along this open pathway?

Which gladiators emerged from this dark tunnel?

Who were the "most important" people to be seated in this area?

What kind of view would I have seen at the top of these steps 1,500 years ago?

What was hitched to this ring of steel set into the inner wall?

Gladiator artifacts preserved in the ashes of Pompeii during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvious in 79AD.

A little peek at something extra . . . 

Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world and one of the largest Baroque fountains in Rome. It was orginally an aquaduct and the prior site was not as grand as it is today.  Work began on the new fountain in 1732 and was completed in 1762. The fountain was designed by Nicola Salvi, and stands 86 feet high and 161.3 feet wide. The fountain is located at the intersection of three roads (tre vie) which denotes the origin of the fountains name. The statue of Oceanus, in the center of the fountain, is located in the center of De 'Crocicchi Street, Poli Street and Delle Muratte Street. The fountain supplied fresh water to ancient Romans for more than 400 years.

If you ever get the chance to throw a coin into the fountain, it is the local tradition to place the coin in your right hand and throw it over your left shoulder into the fountain.  It is estimated that 3,000 Euros are tossed into the fountain each day (in 2016 approximately 1.4 million Euros ($1.5M) were thrown into the fountain.

I hope you enjoyed this quick "trip" to Rome  - DFB

~Habe diem mirabilium