The Colosseum has undergone countless renovations, and what we see now is just about a third of its original size. It was the center of social life in Rome for more than five centuries, but its collapse began in the seventh century AD, when the large stones from which it was built were relocated to build Rome's new palaces. The structure was subsequently abandoned for nearly eight centuries.
The first restoration took place in 1587 under the direction of King Philip II of Spain, who wanted to make his city-state worthy of the European Renaissance. He hired Italian architects who restored parts of the arena and built others in their place. These new sections included a large number of shops, offices, and private apartments for the rich and famous.
In 1884 Victor Emmanuel II of Italy completed another major restoration of the Colosseum. This time the aim was not to rebuild it but to preserve it as an example of ancient Roman technology. The emperor was keen to show that modern Italy could produce masters who could run a great national project such as this one. The result is a beautiful building with improvements made using modern techniques.
Almost 100 years later, in 1995, the Colosseo was completely destroyed by arsonists. A large part of it was rebuilt using materials found during excavations near the site. However, since there are no records of future shows or events being held here, some believe the destruction was meant as a statement against extra-cultural influences in Rome.
No other landmark in Rome is as recognizable as the Colosseum in a city rich of historic ruins. The Colosseum, on the other hand, still remains tall, even after the Roman Empire has fallen. It has withstood earthquakes, plant overgrowth, thievery, and modern-day pollution to become one of Rome's most popular tourist destinations.
The Colosseum was originally built as a stadium where gladiators would fight each other to the death for entertainment of the crowds. Over time, it became more than just a place where people fought - it also became a place where people watched movies, held concerts, and organized sporting events. In fact, it is estimated that between 100,000 and 150,000 people used to visit the Colosseum every day!
The Colosseum stands out not only because it is large but also because it is intact today. Many other ancient buildings in Rome have been destroyed over time by nature or human beings (such as the Arch of Constantine) but the Colosseum has remained solid because it is made of concrete which is very resistant to destruction.
The Colosseum has been featured in many films, books, and television shows over the years. It appears in the opening scene of Ridley Scott's film "Gladiator" and can be seen in several other films including "Ben-Hur", "Alexander: The Ultimate Warrior", and "Romeo & Juliet".
The Roman Collosseum's Architectural Legacy The Roman Empire left behind a massive architectural heritage. The Roman Colosseum, also known as the Amphitheatre Flavium, reveals more about the culture of Rome's citizens. It was used for entertainment purposes: to show chariot races and other events. But it was also designed as a place of public punishment. The people of Rome enjoyed watching slaves being tortured and killed.
The Colosseum is best known for this purpose. It was built around 80 AD by the emperor Titus, in order to replace an earlier structure that had been built under Julius Caesar. The new arena could hold 50,000 people, twice as many as the old one. Spectators were charged a fee to enter the stadium, and they could also donate money to see certain types of games. People from all over Europe came to watch chariot races and other events held within the Colosseum. These include bullfights and executions. In addition, the arena was used for public punishments, such as gladiator fights and animal sacrifices. A young man named Jesus Christ was crucified here in AD 30. His death brought about a transformation in the way people thought about cruelty and violence.
After the fall of the Roman Empire in AD 400, the Colosseum fell into disuse.