What does the colosseum look like?

Answer 1

The Colosseum was/is massive and breath-taking and its conveyed the culture, wealth, might and power of the city of Rome and the Roman Empire. The facade was more impressive than it is now. It had a marble covering which was stripped and burn to make quicklime in the Middle Ages and bronze braces which were ripped out. The interior was also massive and the seating could host 50,000 spectators. The experience of the spectators varied according to social status. The seating was divided into 5 horizontal sectors. The lowest one was reserved for the senators and their families. The other ones were assigned by social status, with poorer people sitting at a higher level. Women sat on steps under a portico, separated from the men. The poor sat on a terrace above the portico. They had the worst view and the worst seats. Their steps were made of wood, while the others were made of marble. Access to the seating was though the arches, 12 of them were reserved for the senators.

With regard to the experience of watching the gladiatorial contests, which the Romans loved, it was not is it is usually thought. There is a common misconception about these combats which is promoted by movies. Initially, gladiators fought to the death when the fights were part of a funerary ritual imported to Rome. However, this changed when Julius Caesar turned the combats into public games. The missio ((the sparing of a defeated gladiator's life) became common practice. Refusals by emperors Caligula and Claudius to spare popular but defeated gladiators made them unpopular. Skill was more important than bloodshed. Winning a combat without causing injury was a desirable skill and several gladiators were praised for never injuring anyone. Successful gladiators were seen as heroes and on their death memorials with inscriptions about their deeds and glory were built. Gladiators became big business for trainers and owners, aspiring politicians or high ranking men. The professional trainers made a living out of gladiators. Gladiators were an important investment for trainers, owners and those who sponsored them. They did not want to see the gladiators die immediately. Nevertheless, it was still a dangerous game and death rates were significant.

The games at the Colosseum lasted the whole day or several days and had high entertainment value. They started at 8 am and ended at dusk. The schedule was:

Displays of exotic animals - Animal hunts which replicated hunting scenes - Comic acts with clowns and dwarfs - Acrobatic and gymnastic acts - Tightrope walking - Music and dances - Animal acts similar to those at the circus - Tortures and executions - Wrestling - Boxing - Martial fights - Gladiatorial fights which were the highlight of the day

Information about the dimensions of the Colosseum can help to get an idea of what it was like to be in such a structure.The Colosseum was elliptic in shape, measured 187.5X159.5 metres (615x523 feet) and could host 50,000 spectators. It height is 48.5 metres (159 feet), but it probably was originally 52 metres high (177 feet). The obal central arena was 87 m (287 ft) long and 55 m (180 ft) wide it wa syrrounded by a wall 5 m (15 ft) high, which separated it from the four tiers of seating which were above this wall amnd had 60 -80 rows of seats. Three tiers have 80 arches. The fourth tier is walled and had 40 windows. Access to the seating was though the arches, 12 of them were reserved for the senators. The Colosseum was built on three levels, each with 80 arches. The first level had of 7 metre (23 ft) high and 4 metre (14 ft) wide Doric " arches, the second 6.5 metre (21 ft) high and 4 metres (14 ft) wide Ionic arches and the third had arches of the same dimension as the second, but in Corinthian style. The empty arches on the second and third layers had marble or bronze statues of gods.

Answer 2

The Colosseum was/is massive and breath-taking and its conveyed the culture, wealth, might and power of the city of Rome and the Roman Empire. The facade was more impressive than it is now. It had a marble covering which was stripped and burn to make quicklime in the Middle Ages and bronze braces which were ripped out. The interior was also massive and the seating could host 50,000 spectators. The experience of the spectators varied according to social status. The seating was divided into 5 horizontal sectors. The lowest one was reserved for the senators and their families. The other ones were assigned by social status, with poorer people sitting at a higher level. Women sat on steps under a portico, separated from the men. The poor sat on a terrace above the portico. They had the worst view and the worst seats. Their steps were made of wood, while the others were made of marble. Access to the seating was though the arches, 12 of them were reserved for the senators.

With regard to the experience of watching the gladiatorial contests, which the Romans loved, it was not is it is usually thought. There is a common misconception about these combats which is promoted by movies. Initially, gladiators fought to the death when the fights were part of a funerary ritual imported to Rome. However, this changed when Julius Caesar turned the combats into public games. The missio ((the sparing of a defeated gladiator's life) became common practice. Refusals by emperors Caligula and Claudius to spare popular but defeated gladiators made them unpopular. Skill was more important than bloodshed. Winning a combat without causing injury was a desirable skill and several gladiators were praised for never injuring anyone. Successful gladiators were seen as heroes and on their death memorials with inscriptions about their deeds and glory were built. Gladiators became big business for trainers and owners, aspiring politicians or high ranking men. The professional trainers made a living out of gladiators. Gladiators were an important investment for trainers, owners and those who sponsored them. They did not want to see the gladiators die immediately. Nevertheless, it was still a dangerous game and death rates were significant.

The games at the Colosseum lasted the whole day or several days and had high entertainment value. They started at 8 am and ended at dusk. The schedule was:

Displays of exotic animals - Animal hunts which replicated hunting scenes - Comic acts with clowns and dwarfs - Acrobatic and gymnastic acts - Tightrope walking - Music and dances - Animal acts similar to those at the circus - Tortures and executions - Wrestling - Boxing - Martial fights - Gladiatorial fights which were the highlight of the day

Information about the dimensions of the Colosseum can help to get an idea of what it was like to be in such a structure.The Colosseum was elliptic in shape, measured 187.5X159.5 metres (615x523 feet) and could host 50,000 spectators. It height is 48.5 metres (159 feet), but it probably was originally 52 metres high (177 feet). The obal central arena was 87 m (287 ft) long and 55 m (180 ft) wide it wa syrrounded by a wall 5 m (15 ft) high, which separated it from the four tiers of seating which were above this wall amnd had 60 -80 rows of seats. Three tiers have 80 arches. The fourth tier is walled and had 40 windows. Access to the seating was though the arches, 12 of them were reserved for the senators. The Colosseum was built on three levels, each with 80 arches. The first level had of 7 metre (23 ft) high and 4 metre (14 ft) wide Doric " arches, the second 6.5 metre (21 ft) high and 4 metres (14 ft) wide Ionic arches and the third had arches of the same dimension as the second, but in Corinthian style. The empty arches on the second and third layers had marble or bronze statues of gods.

Answer 3

The Colosseum is shaped like an oval . It stands 48 meters tall, and at its widest is 156 meters across.

Answer 4

The colosseum looked like a giant arena back in the days it was made in ad after death or the french way (Anna Dommanoe).

Answer 5

The Colosseum ; see relevant link which contains a picture of the gladiatorial arena .