Colosseum (Italy)
In the seventh century English scholar, Saint Bede wrote: “As long as the Colosseum stands, Rome shall stand; When the Colosseum falls, Rome shall fall; and when Rome falls, the world will end.”
The Colosseum has been the iconic symbol of the once powerful Roman empire since Emperor Vespasian commissioned its construction nearly two thousand years ago. in the years since, the giant amphitheatre has survived every catastrophe the world has thrown at it. Not even the fall of the Roman Empire, or the millions of tourists who now visit it every year has brought it down.
Once a place frequented by Rome’s Emperors, Senators and Intellectuals, the Colosseum was a place where gladiators lived and died by the sword and where animals were brutally slaughtered for the enjoyment of the masses.
Known as one of the finest Roman buildings ever constructed, the influence of the Colosseum’s design and architecture is immeasurable. The engineering skill and know-how that it took to complete a structure of its size and has allowed it to survive for as long as it has is a feat that cannot be understated.
Today the Colosseum is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and every year more than four million people walk through the gates to marvel at the sight of one of the ancient world’s most spectacular creations.
Construction on the Colosseum commenced in AD 72 under Emperor Vespasian who commissioned it as a ‘gift to the people.’ It was completed eight years later under Vespasian’s successor Emperor Titus who officially celebrated its completion with 100 days of games.
The land where the Colosseum was constructed was previously part of Emperor Nero’s grand palace known as ‘Domus Aurea’ which burnt down in AD 64. Nero, the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty is remembered as a tyrant who lived a life of extravagance at the expense of the people and the land where his palace was built was taken from the people of Rome.
The latter years of Nero's rule were marred by civil war which saw almost all of his supporters turn against him. With seemingly no other option, Nero commit suicide in AD 68 which started a power vacuum and a chaotic period known as the ‘Year of the Four Emperors’.
