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The Colosseum (Amphitheatrum Flavium) is the largest elliptical amphitheatre that was ever built in antiquity. Seating up to 73,000 spectators in the heart of Rome, construction was completed in 80 CE. It held public events and gladiatorial matches during the first centuries CE. Take note of the massive scale of the structure, and the shade cloths (vellarium) that extended to provide protection from the sun for the spectators. The entire structure was geared wholly toward public entertainment. A vast system of underground tunnels and rooms stored the hundreds of wild beasts and gladiators who would fight for their lives on the sands of the arena for the enjoyment of the crowd. The hidden stage machinery that delivered animals and humans to the centre stage was comprised of a sophisticated system of ropes, pulleys and trapdoors. The seating of the Colosseum was strictly hierarchical, with the upper levels reserved for lower classes. The emperor was provided with a special box, which is where you stand now. The importance of the Colosseum extended beyond simply entertainment - it also reinforced class divisions in Roman society.
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Original 3d image byLithodomos VR. Uploaded by Lithodomos VR, published on 08 October 2018. Please check the original source(s) for copyright information. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.
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APA Style
VR, L. (2018, October 08). The Colosseum in Ancient Times - 3D View. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image3d/322/the-colosseum-in-ancient-times---3d-view/
Chicago Style
VR, Lithodomos. "The Colosseum in Ancient Times - 3D View." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified October 08, 2018. https://www.worldhistory.org/image3d/322/the-colosseum-in-ancient-times---3d-view/.
MLA Style
VR, Lithodomos. "The Colosseum in Ancient Times - 3D View." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 08 Oct 2018. Web. 16 May 2022.
