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The Colosseum
or Coliseum, originally the Flavian
Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium,
Italian Anfiteatro Flavio or Colosseo),
is an elliptical amphitheatre in the
centre of the city of Rome. It is one
of the greatest works of Roman architecture
and engineering.
Yet the horrors it witnessed
and the cruelty it accommodated make it a confusing
place to visit.
A few statistics to bear
in mind while enjoying the remarkable views
through its graceful arches and marveling
at its survival over the centuries: The original
circumference measured a third of a mile, its
four-story mass supported by a ring of concrete
43 feet (13 meters) hig h,
sunk into the marshy bed of a lake reclaimed
from Nero's garden.
Streaming through 76 numbered
entrances, 50,000 spectators could make their
way to their seats in 10 minutes-and disperse
as quickly at the end of a day's entertainment.
Built by Jewish slaves
in the wake of a failed revolt, the stadium
was inaugurated for the people's pleasure with
a daylong slaughter of 5,000 animals, one dispatched
every 10 seconds, and made pleasant by means
of retractable awnings, unfurled by sailors
from the imperial navy, who also manned the
galleys in mock sea battles.
Women were restricted to
the uppermost levels, except for the Vestal
Virgins, who had places of honor close to
the emperor and were helped to passageways known
as vomitoria as needed.
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Gladiators - Animal Fights - Arena
- Commodo - Marcus Aurilius
Colosseum Tour - Tour of the Colosseum
- Guided Tour of the Colosseum.
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