 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||
The Roman Colosseum: Importance
The Roman Colosseum was built because Emperor Vespasian wanted
to give back to the people and provided Roman citizens a stadium
for entertainment. |
 |
(Statue Bust of Emperor Vespasian) The main purpose of the Colosseum was gladiator games. The structure
was also used for other public spectacles such as animal hunts,
and executions. They would also occasionally flood the floor to
reenact mock naval battles. The building was only used for battles and games up until the early
medieval era. It was later used for workshops, religious order, a
Christian shrine and a fortress. |
The Roman Colosseum still has a close connection with the Catholic
Church, where the Pope leads a torch lit “Way of the Cross” procession
to the amphitheatre every Good Friday. |
 |
(Pope's "Way of the Cross") The Roman Colosseum is a huge influence on structures built today. Some may have noticed the resemblance between the Colosseum and football stadiums. Sport stadiums take the same shape as the Colosseum for many of the same reasons. It is shaped in a oval for maximum audience viewing, with many levels to hold a larger number of people. *Note: Underlined words linked to Glossary |