The Colosseum, Rome | By Simple History

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The Colosseum - Roman Empire. The Colosseum is located in Rome, Italy. Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, it is an oval amphitheater and the largest ever built. Construction began under Emperor Vespasian around 70-72 A.D. and was completed under his successor and heir, Titus, in 80 A.D. Further modifications were made during the Flavian dynasty, so the amphitheater was named as the Amphitheatrum Flavium, or Flavian Amphitheatre. It stood at 50 meters high, and 156 meters wide, and was constructed from concrete and sand. Arches and columns framed the structure and strengthened it. It had 80 exits and entrances, 76 of which were used by ordinary citizens. The Colosseum was also covered by a controllable velarium to shade spectators from the sun. Nearby the Colosseum stood the Colossus of Nero, a great bronze statue, later changed to a statue of the sun god, Sol. The arena was made of a wooden floor covered by sand. Around it were the spectators' seats, determined by the citizens' importance, with the best seats reserved for senators. Special boxes were reserved for the emperor. The Colosseum could hold around 70,000 spectators. Under the arena was the hypogeum, still visible today. This was a series of underground tunnels used to house animals imported from Africa and the Middle East, such as lions, rhinos, and panthers, which could be released through trapdoors. The hypogeum was also used to release slaves through lifts, and to create different moving scenarios or scenery, such as hills, groves, and small lakes. The arena hosted a variety of blood sports as entertainment. The schedule for the day consisted of men hunting dangerous animals and executions of criminals, but the main event would be the gladiatorial combat. Ancient writers wrote about mock sea battles, or 'naumachiae,' before the hypogeum was developed. It is speculated that hydraulic mechanisms were used to flood the arena rapidly for such naval battles. Gladiatorial combat, and public entertainment, was shown at the Colosseum all the way until the 6th century A.D., when costs became too high to justify it, and public taste had shifted. Over the centuries it was reused for various purposes, such as a material quarry. Today, it is the symbol of Rome, and one of the most-visited archaeological sites all over the world.

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✍ Vocabulary Review (find the word in the text that is suitable to each below description): 

1. a group of countries ruled by a single person, government, or country
2. (especially in Greek and Roman architecture) an open circular or oval building with a central space surrounded by tiers of seats for spectators, for the presentation of dramatic or sporting events.
3. a male ruler of an empire
4. someone or something that comes after another person or thing
5. a person who will legally receive money, property, or a title from another person, especially an older member of the same family, when that other person dies
6. a structure, consisting of a curved top on two supports, that holds the weight of something above it
7. an awning used to protect the audience in ancient Roman theatres and amphitheatres
8. to prevent direct light from shining on something
9. a person who watches an activity, especially a sports event, without taking part
10. a very large statue (= large artistic object)
11. a large, flat area surrounded by seats used for sports or entertainment
12. a politician who has been elected to a Senate
13. an underground vault, esp one used for burials
14. a small door in a ceiling or floor
15. a description of possible events, or a description of the story of a movie, play, or other performance
16. a group of trees planted close together
17. to provide the space and other things necessary for a special event
18. the legal punishment of killing someone
19. any sport that involves animals being killed or hurt to make the people watching or taking part feel excitement
20. relating to violent fighting in which only one person or group can win
21. a fight, especially during a war
22. to guess possible answers to a question when you do not have enough information to be certain
23. operated by or involving the pressure of water or some other liquid
24. belonging to a country's navy, or relating to military ships
25. to give or to be a good reason for
26. involving or relating to archaeology

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