Tag: amphitheater

Colosseum is one of the most famous buildings in the world, and one of the favorite tourist attractions in Rome, the word “Colosseum” is just a nickname that stuck for over 1900 years. Official name of this marvel of architecture and engineering is Flavian Amphitheater or Anfiteatro Flavio, because it was built by the Flavian dynasty.   To tell more about Colosseum we have to start with Nero, one of the most hated and controversial emperors of Roman Empire. In the year 64AD the city of Rome was ravaged by a great fire, almost two thirds of the city was completely destroyed, and the only person to benefit from that, was Nero, as soon as the smoke has cleared he began construction of his “Domus Aurea” or “Golden Palace”, it was a magnificent palace covered in gold, it had rotating dining rooms, gardens and an artificial lake. Few years later Nero was declared the enemy of people and the state, and was to be executed, but on June 6, 68AD he committed suicide. The Golden Palace was partially demolished, and the artificial lake was drained. In 72AD Emperor Vespasian began the construction of his new amphitheater right on the bottom of Nero’s artificial lake. The construction was completed around 80AD by Emperor Titus, and some modifications were made later on by Emperor Domitian between 81 and 96 AD. All three emperors came from the Flavian Dynasty, hence the name “Flavian Amphitheater”. But why do we call it Colosseum? Well, Nero erected huge statue of himself at the entrance to the Golden Palace. The statue was designed and built by the Greek architect and sculptor Zenodorus, it was 30 meters (99feet) tall and made of bronze and gold. The statue was called “Colossus Neronis” or The Colossus Of Nero. The Romans