The Colosseum
When people think of Rome, the Colosseum is usually the first thing that comes to mind. And for good reason, seeing the world wonder in person was my introduction to the old austerity of Rome. All of my friends that have visited the city had spoken highly of the amphitheater; the only closer look into ancient Rome would be the Pantheon itself.
The Colosseum was originally commissioned by Emperor Vespasian to be built on top of the Golden House of Nero to wipe the city’s memory clean of his failure and atrocities. He didn’t leave to see it completed; unfortunately dying a year before its completion by his son Titus in 80 AD. When it was completed animals and gladiators fought and died on an unprecedented scale to commemorate its completion. The Colosseum remained in service for 450 more years until eventually ceasing activity due to economic reasons and new Christian objections. Over the centuries the Colosseum was gradually stripped of its wealth and stone until 1749 when Pope Benedict XIV forbade it and consecrated the arena as tribute to the Christian martyrs who died on its grounds. Today the Colosseum still stands; not entirely as tall or as perfect as it once was, but it still strikes awe in all of those that climb its steps and look out onto this ancient battlefield.
"Roman Colosseum History." Roman Colosseum RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2013.
The Colosseum was originally commissioned by Emperor Vespasian to be built on top of the Golden House of Nero to wipe the city’s memory clean of his failure and atrocities. He didn’t leave to see it completed; unfortunately dying a year before its completion by his son Titus in 80 AD. When it was completed animals and gladiators fought and died on an unprecedented scale to commemorate its completion. The Colosseum remained in service for 450 more years until eventually ceasing activity due to economic reasons and new Christian objections. Over the centuries the Colosseum was gradually stripped of its wealth and stone until 1749 when Pope Benedict XIV forbade it and consecrated the arena as tribute to the Christian martyrs who died on its grounds. Today the Colosseum still stands; not entirely as tall or as perfect as it once was, but it still strikes awe in all of those that climb its steps and look out onto this ancient battlefield.
"Roman Colosseum History." Roman Colosseum RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2013.