Having come to power after the mad Nero, Emperor Vespavian of the Flavian dynasty set about restoring the financial independence of the country, which had fallen into decay during the reign of the despot. In an effort to immortalize his name in history and completely destroy all memories of Nero, Vespavian began a large-scale reconstruction of the center of Rome. It was at his command that the Colosseum was erected.
To begin with, Vespavian destroyed the "Golden House" - Nero's palace. It was a magnificent architectural ensemble, located on a huge territory with an artificially dug reservoir. In the center of the ensemble was a colossal bronze statue of Nero. It was she who was melted in the first place.
An amphitheater instead of a palace
Emperor Vespavian began construction, which lasted 4 years during his life and 4 after his death. The construction was completed by his son, the emperor Titus.
On the site of the former palace of Nero, a huge foundation was laid for the future amphitheater, which was then called the Flavian Amphitheater. Later, because of its size, they began to call it the Colosseum, which means "huge" in Latin. The foundation of the structure was oval, and the concrete base was 13 meters thick. An amphitheater was built from marble travertine, which was mined in the quarries of Tivoli, located 20 km from Rome. It remains only to wonder how the huge boulders were delivered to the construction site and installed as needed.
The construction was mainly occupied by prisoners who were driven from Judea, the Colosseum was built with funds obtained in wars with this state.
Grandiose construction
Vespavian and Titus erected not only a grandiose structure, but also broke the record for the speed of construction. So quickly, the Colosseum was built not only by significant financial investments, but also by more than 100 thousand slaves who worked in three shifts and lived right on the construction site, where they later began to place the animals.
We also accelerated the construction site and numerous innovations in engineering and technical solutions. For example, an intricate system was developed for lifting material to the upper tiers, supplying water and removing it. Logistics deserves special attention, because more than 200 engineers and designers were involved in the work, who did not interfere with each other and worked in a coordinated manner. According to historians, deliveries of building materials to the site went around the clock, so much so that some supplemented others.
The organization of the movement of people inside the amphitheater itself, called vomitoria, became a unique building solution - people could fill the steps in 15 minutes, and leave the structure in 5, thanks to the many exits that evenly penetrated the Colosseum.
Monument to art
Eighty large arches were installed along the perimeter of the outer wall - this was the first tier. A second tier of arches of a slightly smaller size was erected on it. Completed the construction of the outer wall of the Colosseum with the third tier of arches. A total of 240 arches of various sizes were installed.
The inner wall of the Colosseum was an 80-row amphitheater. The lower ones provided for places for the nobility and a separate place for the throne of the emperor. Since the Colosseum was an open arena, a system was provided in the lower rows for stretching a canvas awning to protect it from precipitation and the scorching sun. On each tier of the amphitheater, columns were installed, made in different architectural styles. In the outer arches, the best sculptors displayed their works in the form of magnificent statues.
The floor of the Colosseum was a wooden flooring, which, during the presentation of naval battles, was filled with water through an underground system of locks and canals. Initially, the amphitheater was intended for gladiatorial fights and theatrical performances. Fights often turned into bloody carnage, not only people fought, but also animals, people and animals. Only with the coming to power of Emperor Constantine were gladiatorial fights banned, as they did not correspond to the spirit of Christianity. Having lost its purpose as a place for spectacles, the magnificent structure began to gradually collapse, but it was not time, but a fire that caused severe damage to the structure.
