The Colosseum: A Guide to the Ancient Roman Amphitheater

The Colosseum: A Guide to the Ancient Roman Amphitheater

The Colosseum in Rome was remarkable for a few reasons upon its construction in the first century C.E. The most obvious was its size. At four stories high and with 80 arched entrances, the amphitheater could seat 50,000 or more people, then and now a striking achievement. Second was its design. Amphitheaters of the period were usually built into slopes for support. In contrast, the Colosseum is completely freestanding, supported by several lay…