The COLOSSEUM    .    Rome,  Italy . 6" x 6" x 3" tall

The Colosseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre after its builders, the emperors Vespasian and Titus - both of the Flavian family.  Construction began around 70 AD and was completed in 80 AD.  The amphitheatre probably came to be called the "Colosseum" because a colossal statue of Nero once stood near it.  The name of the architect is unknown. 

The arena seated more than 50,000 spectators.  Its opening was celebrated with 100 days of games in which thousands of animals and gladiators were killed.  Occasionally the Colosseum was even flooded in order to stage small naval battles.  The floor of the arena was wood, which was covered with sand.  Beneath the floor was a maze of passageways and holding pens for the animals.  A hand-operated elevator was used to raise the animals from the basement up to the arena floor.  The walls of these subterranean passageways can still be seen today.

The Colosseum was a marvel of efficiency.  It is estimated that 50,000 people could enter and be seated in 15 minutes.  The reason for this is that the Romans invented tickets and assigned seating.  Before a game, a spectator would pick up a ticket which had a number that corresponded to one of the 79 entrance arches which all had numbers above them.  The ticket also had a level and a seat number.  Senators had reserved seats with their names carved in the base - some of which can still be seen today.  The emperor had his own entrance to the Colosseum.  The basic design of the building and the ticket system is still used today for many gaming events, from bullfights in Spain to baseball games in America.

The structure is eliptical in shape - not round.  The core is constructed of brick and a relatively soft, porous rock.  The exterior was clothed in travertine marble, a brilliant white stone.  Originally the Colosseum had 3 stories, but a fourth was added by Alexander Severus when he refurbished the building in 230 AD.  The unique combination of strong support columns with airy arches make the Colosseum look sturdy, yet open and soaring.  There was no roof on the Colosseum, but in summer great canvas sheets were rigged to the top to form awnings that kept the sun off everyone inside.  The arena was used regularly for almost 400 years.  It suffered through earthquakes, neglect, and the pillaging of popes who took its marble for their own buildings.

Even today, the Colosseum is hugely impressive.  It stands as a glorious monument to Roman imperial power.  Ironically it was the amphitheatre's reputation as a sacred spot where Christian martyrs had met their fate that saved the Colosseum from further depredations by Roman popes and aristocrats - who were both anxious to use its marble stone for their palaces and churches.  The cathedrals of St. Peter's and St. John Lateran, the Palazzo Venezia, for example, all exploited the Colosseum as a convenient marble quarry.  As a result of this plunder and also due to fires and earthquakes, two thirds of the original have been destroyed so that the present Colosseum, although very impressive, is only a shadow of its former self.