Rome’s Colosseum: History and Architecture
One of the most iconic buildings in the world, the Colosseum was the largest amphitheatre in ancient Rome
The Colosseum is one of the best-preserved buildings in Rome that dates from Classical times. The construction was started during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and completed during that of his son Titus, being dedicated in 80 AD. However, severe damage caused by a lightning strike in 217 was not repaired until 240, and other restorations were made in later centuries following earthquakes.
The site
The site of the Colosseum (the original name of which was the Flavian Amphitheatre), is in a valley between three of the Roman “hills”, the area having previously been a small lake that formed part of the grounds of Nero’s vast palace (which was destroyed after his death). The planners of the building therefore needed to take account of the marshy nature of the terrain, so the streams flowing through the valley were diverted and foundations dug to a depth of 42 feet in places. These precautions were clearly justified by the fact that the massive structure has never suffered damage due to subsidence in the intervening 1900 years.
