Descriptive Essay - The Colosseum

Descriptive Essay The Colosseum
The Colosseum
The Colosseum, or the 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, Italy, the largest
ever built in the Roman Empire. It is considered as one of the supreme
mechanism of Roman architecture and Roman engineering. capable of
seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests
and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, reenactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology.
Basically, it has a fascinating historical background, an amazing
interior & exterior architecture as well as outstanding uses.
Through a historical episode, the colosseum was built but in
several phases. Firstly, Construction of the Colosseum began under the
rule of the Emperor Vespasian around 7072AD. The site chosen was a flat
area
on
the
floor
of
a
low
valley
between
the
Caelian, Esquiline and Palatine Hills. The Colosseum had been completed up
to the third story by the time of Vespasian death in 79 and his son completed
top level of this structure in 80AD. Secondly, The Colosseum underwent
several radical changes of use during the medieval period. By the late 6th
century a small church had been built into the structure of the amphitheatre,
though this apparently did not confer any particular religious significance on
the building as a whole. Thirdly in 16th and 17th century, Church officials
sought a productive role for the vast derelict hulk of the Colosseum. In 15851590 made wool factory in Colosseum to provide employment for Rome's
prostitutes.
Colosseum which is an entirely free-standing structure derives
its basic exterior and interior architecture from that of two Roman
theatres back to back. It is elliptical in plan and is 189 meters long and
156 meters wide, with a base area of 6 acres. The height of the outer wall is
48 meters. The interior seating structure of the Colosseum could
accommodate 87,000 people. They were seated in a tiered arrangement that
reflected the rigidly stratified nature of Roman society. Special boxes were
provided at the north and south ends respectively for the Emperor and the
Vestal Virgins. The arena itself was 83 meters by 48 meters; it comprised a
wooden floor covered by sand, covering an elaborate underground structure
called the hypogeum. Little now remains of the original arena floor, but the
hypogeum is still clearly visible.
The Colosseum was mostly used to host gladiatorial shows as
well as a variety of other events like munera & animal hunt, or
venatio. Animal hunt utilized a great variety of wild beasts, mainly imported
from Africa and the East. Therefore the Colosseum now-a-days is a major
tourist attraction in Rome with thousands of tourists each year paying to
view the interior arena.
Although in the 21st century it stays partially ruined because of
damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers, the
Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome because of having close
connections with the Roman Catholic Church. Beside this, It has turned
into one of the Rome's most popular tourist attractions due to the
historical creation, supernatural design & a variety of momentous
uses.
The Colosseum
Introduction:
Thesis Statement:
Basically, it has a fascinating historical
background, an amazing interior & exterior
architecture as well as outstanding uses.
BODY:
1st Topic Sentence:
Through a historical episode, the colosseum
was built but in several phases.
Supporting Details-1: Construction of the Colosseum began under
the rule of the Emperor Vespasian
Supporting Details-2:
The Colosseum underwent several radical

changes of use during the medieval period
2nd Topic Sentence:

Colosseum which is an entirely free-standing
structure derives its basic exterior and interior
architecture from that of two Roman theatres back
to back.
It is 189 meters long and 156 meters wide,

with a base area of 6 acres.
it is comprised a wooden floor covered by

sand, covering an elaborate underground
structure called the hypogeum.
3rd Topic Sentence:

The Colosseum was mostly used to host
gladiatorial shows as well as a variety of other
events like munera & animal hunt, or venatio.

Animal hunt utilized a great variety of wild

beasts, mainly imported from Africa and the
East.
The Colosseum now-a-days is a major tourist

attraction.
CONCLUSION:
Re-state Thesis: Beside this, It has turned into one of the Rome's
most popular tourist attractions due to the
historical creation, supernatural design & a variety
of momentous uses.

Descriptive Essay - The Colosseum

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Descriptive Essay - The Colosseum

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Descriptive Essay - The Colosseum

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Descriptive Essay The Colosseum