Even though the the Coliseum was use for its entertainment, I believe it represents the strength of its Roman Emperor than anything else. The Coliseum has shown to be the most important tool in the hands of a Roman emperor. This was where he could meet and control the people of Rome. In 72AD Titus and his father, the Roman emperor, Vespasian commissioned a new project that would later become one of the greatest wonders of the world. Although the Coliseum was under a different name at the time; during its construction period, the Coliseum was known as the Flavian amphitheatre, after Vespasian’s family name.
Built from three and a half million cubic feet of stone, this arena could hold over 50,000 people. The Coliseum is not only the biggest, but the most complex arena in Rome. With a thirty-six foot pit under the arena’s wooden floor, it was used as a system of supply lifts for animals, props, and stage scenery that were used in many performances. Throughout all of the Coliseum’s performances, the most historical shows were the gladiatorial games. Not only would the citizens of Rome come, but people from other parts of the world would take part in celebrating these competitive games. Gladiator legends such as Verus, Maximus, and Spartacus and their famous bouts gave the Coliseum its immortality.
Unfortunately for the emperor Vespasian, he died before he could see his arena finished and the extraordinary battles that took place, leaving it to his son Titus to be in command. As Titus took control of the gladiatorial games he took a new approach with his newly inherited arena. During Vespasian’s reign as Caesar and keeper of the games, a gladiator’s chance of surviving about was ninety percent, unlike Titus’ intentions the games were all about killing the opposition. This brought a new style to the games, and a new dynasty for the Coliseum. This forever made the Coliseum what many people see it today, a grand spectacle of bloody history and gladiator glory. Throughout all of these event, the Emperor used them to control his people and maintained order through his reign.
Built from three and a half million cubic feet of stone, this arena could hold over 50,000 people. The Coliseum is not only the biggest, but the most complex arena in Rome. With a thirty-six foot pit under the arena’s wooden floor, it was used as a system of supply lifts for animals, props, and stage scenery that were used in many performances. Throughout all of the Coliseum’s performances, the most historical shows were the gladiatorial games. Not only would the citizens of Rome come, but people from other parts of the world would take part in celebrating these competitive games. Gladiator legends such as Verus, Maximus, and Spartacus and their famous bouts gave the Coliseum its immortality. Unfortunately for the emperor Vespasian, he died before he could see his arena finished and the extraordinary battles that took place, leaving it to his son Titus to be in command. As Titus took control of the gladiatorial games he took a new approach with his newly inherited arena. During Vespasian’s reign as Caesar and keeper of the games, a gladiator’s chance of surviving about was ninety percent, unlike Titus’ intentions the games were all about killing the opposition. This brought a new style to the games, and a new dynasty for the Coliseum. This forever made the Coliseum what many people see it today, a grand spectacle of bloody history and gladiator glory. Throughout all of these event, the Emperor used them to control his people and maintained order through his reign.
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