Rome architecture colosseum. The square around the colosseum is probably one of the few places in rome that is at the same level as the ancient times. The colosseum or coliseum also known as the flavian amphitheatre is an oval amphitheatre in the centre of the city of rome italy. The level of the ancient city is about 8 15 metres below the current one. Architecture of the colosseum the colosseum is one of the greatest feats of roman architecture ever built.
We do not actually know much about his own work only a basilica he constructed in fano and that he did work for julius caesar and augustus. The colosseum is situated just east of the roman forum. While the circus was used for chariot races and was significantly larger the colosseum was used for various blood sports. The colosseum or flavian amphitheatre is a large ellipsoid arena built in the first century ce under the roman emperors of the flavian dynasty.
1 the colosseum was the second and largest permanent amphitheatre built within the city of rome. Vespasian 69 79 ce titus 79 81 ce and domitian 81 96. Built in the neoclassical style it is located in the citys southern eur neighbourhood which was designed to host the 1942 world fair. Further modifications were made during the re.
Prior to the construction of the colosseum amphitheatres were temporary structures built out of wood as needed. Construction began under the emperor vespasian in ad 72 and was completed in ad 80 under his successor and heir titus. The amphitheater forms an oval 527 meters 1729 in circumference with diameters of 189 and 156 meters 615 and 510 ft. Remember that rome is about 2600 years old and that during all this time layers and layers of buildings and roads have accumulated.
Built of travertine limestone tuff and brick faced concrete it was the largest amphitheatre ever built at the time and held 50000 spectators. The colosseum was built of blocks of travertine stone extracted from the quarries of albulae near tivoli and brought to rome by a wide road specially constructed for the purpose.