“What is the Colosseum?”
Jan Scott - Year 11 Ancient History
Focus Questions:
Who decided the construction for the colosseum and what are the theories existing revealing the purpose of the construction? (600)
What are the conservation issues or problems in relation to the colosseum? (400)
What was the significance of the Colosseum that makes it so important to preserve? (700)
What’s the evidence or research techniques used to determine the history of the Colosseum? (300)
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Who initiated construction and theories relating to the purpose
The Colosseum, located in Rome is one of Italy’s most popular and famous tourist attractions.
The construction of the large colosseum had started through the request of Emperor Vespasian. Vespasian became Emperor of Rome in 69 A.D after the terrible period of Nero’s reign; Emperor Vespasian removed Nero’s Golden house, turning it into a public park, he also tore down the Colossus which was Nero’s giant gold statue and used the money from it to help fund the construction of the amphitheatre. The name of the amphitheatre, the Colosseum was derived from the Colossus.
Though, this is a debated fact, whether the name Colosseum was just mistakenly applied to the amphitheatre which is also known as the Flavian amphitheatre as it was built by the family of Flavian emperors, Vespasian and Titus.
Construction of the Colosseum started between 70 and 72 AD and was completed over a 10 year period in 80 AD. Vespasian died before the completion of the Colosseum and his eldest son Titus foresaw the finalization of the amphitheatre.
A number of sources state that from around 20 000 - 100 000 Roman prisoners or Jewish slaves were brought back to Rome to build the Colosseum.
The process of construction was made up of a combination of skilled and un-skilled workers; Plebeians were involved in the planning stages, meaning they obtained jobs such as engineers, foremen, artists, and teamsters whilst