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The Colosseum

The Colosseum was the first permanent amphitheater to be built in Rome. Construction began on the colosseum in 69 AD by the Emperor Vespasian, and it was finished in 80 by Titus. Over 5000 animals were sacrificed in honor of the Colosseum's opening. The name of the architect is not known. Historians believe slaves did not construct it, due to the skill needed to construct it. It is elliptical, measuring 620 ft long, 513 ft wide, and 157 ft high. It could seat about 50,000 spectators and had approximately eighty entrances, so crowds could arrive and leave much more quickly than at the Vet.

Click to Enlarge Different materials were employed for the building of the Colosseum. The materials used in construction were as follows: Travertine -limestone quarried for the main pillars, the ground floor and the external wall Tufa -for the other pillars, Tiles -for the floors and the walls, Cement -for the vaults.

The colosseum was used for gladiators and wild beasts up until 523 AD. Since then it has suffered from neglect, earthquakes, and other damage.

Thanks to greatbuildings.com and web.tiscali.it for the information.

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