Page 399 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

ROME : THE ANCIENT CENTRE  397

9 Colosseum VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

Rome’s greatest amphitheatre was commissioned by Emperor Practical Information
Vespasian in AD 72. Deadly gladiatorial combats and wild Piazza del Colosseo. Map 7 A1.
animal fights were staged by emperors and wealthy citizens, Tel 06 39 96 77 00.
Open 8:30am–1 hour before
largely to gain popularity. Slaughter was on a huge scale: sunset. Closed 1 Jan, 25 Dec. &
at the inaugural games in AD 80, over 9,000 wild animals includes entry to the Forum and
were killed. The Colosseum could hold up to 55,000 people, Palatine. 9 = 8 7 limited.
who were seated according to rank. Transport
@ 75, 80, 85, 87, 117, 175, 810.
Internal Corridors q Colosseo. v 3 to Piazza
These allowed the large and del Colosseo.
often unruly crowd to move
freely and be seated quickly.

The Velarium, a huge The Colossus of Nero
sailcloth awning which This gilt bronze statue
sheltered spectators from the from Nero’s palace, over
sun, was supported by poles which the Colosseum was
on the upper storey. built, may have given the
amphitheatre its name.

Entry routes
and stairs led
to seats at the
various levels.
The emperor and
consul had their
Corinthian own, separate
columns entrances.
Ionic
columns
The arena floor covered
a network of lifts and Doric
cages for wild animals. columns

Entrances
Doric, Ionic and Corinthian Tiers
The tiers inspired many Renaissance
architects, who also plundered the
building, using its travertine to build
palaces and part of St Peter’s.

Emperor Vespasian
Roman Gladiators He ordered the Colosseum
These were originally soldiers in training. to be built on the site
Their combat became a sport, and slaves, of Nero’s palace, to
prisoners of war or criminals were forced to dissociate himself from
fight men or wild animals to the death. the hated tyrant.

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