CENTRAL ITALY AND ROME
Karl Baedeker

Colosseum (PI. II, 22), originally called the Amphitheatrum Flavium, the largest theatre, and one of the most imposing structures in the world, completed by Titus in A. D. 80. It was inagurated by gladitorial combats, continued during 100 days,in which 5000 wild animals were killed, and naval contests were exhibited. It was injured by a fire under Macrinus (217), and was restored by Alexander Severus. The building has been known since the 8th cent., under its present name, derived probably from the colossal statue of Nero. In 248 the Emp. Philip here celebrated the 1000th anniversary of the foundation of Rome with magnificent games. In 405 gladiator-combats were abolished by Honorius as inconsistent with the precepts of Christianity, which had prevailed since Constintine, but the wild-beast fights were continued till after the time of Theodoric the Great. In the MIDDLE AGES the Colosseum was used by the Roman barons, especially the Frangipani, as a fortress. In 1312 the Annibaldi were obliged to surrender it to Emp. Henry VII., who presented it to the Roman senate and people. In 1332 the Roman nobility again introduced bull-fights. After this period,however, the destruction of the Colosseum began, and the stupendous pile began to be regarded as a kind of quarry. In the 15th cent. Paul II. here procured materials for the construction of the Pal. di Venezia, and Card. Riario for the Cancelleria, in the 16th cent. Paul III. for the Palazzo Farnese, and in 1703 Clement XI. for the Harbour of the Eipetta. Benedict XIV. (1740-58) was the first to protect the edifice from farther demolition by consecrating the interior to the Passion of Christ, referring to the frequency with which the blood of martyrs had flowed there. Pius VII. and Leo XII. averted the imminent danger of the fall of the ruins by the erection of huge buttresses. — Until 1871 the ruins were clothed with a luxuriant vegetation, the removal of which, in connection with the excavations, has sensibly diminished the picturesque appearance of the remains as preserved for us in old views. The Colosseum is almost wholly constructed of blocks of travertine, originally held together by iron cramps; tufa and bricks have been used only in the interior. The numerous holes were bored in the middle ages, for the purpose of extracting the then very valuable iron. According to the most trustworthy statistics the external circumference of the elliptical structure measures 576 yds., or nearly one- third of a mile, the long diameter 205 yds., the shorter 170 yds., and the height 156 ft. The still preserved N.E. portion, on the side next the Esquiline, consists of four stories, the three first being formed by arcades, the pillars of which are adorned with half-columns of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian order in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stories respectively. A wall with windows between Corinthian pilasters forms the 4th story. Statues were placed in the arcades of the 2nd and 3rd stories, as appears from the representations on ancient coins. At the ends of the diameters are the four triple PRINCIPAL ENTRANCES, those next to the Esquiline and Caelius (at the end of the smaller axis) being destined for the emperor, the others for the solemn procession before the beginning of the games, and for the introduction of the animals and machinery. On the side next the Esquiline are seen traces of the stucco-decorations, which were used as models by Giovanni daUdine, the pupil of Raphael. The arcades of the lowest story served as entrances for the spectators, and were furnished with numbers up to Ixxvi (Nos. xxiii to liv still exist), in order to indicate the staircases to the different seats. The INTERIOR had seats for 87,000 spectators. The tiers of seats are supported on the outside by two rows of arcades, and on the inside partly by a massive substructure. Every fourth arch contains a staircase; while the tiers of seats are intersected by passages. The foremost row of seats, called the Podium, was destined for the emperor, the senators, and the Vestal Virgins. The emperor occupied a raised seat, called the Pulvinar, and the others had seats of honour. Above the Podium rose three other classes of seats, the first of which was allotted to the knights. The humbler spectators occupied the highest division, in a colonnade, on the roof of which were stationed sailors of the imperial fleet for the purpose of stretching sail-cloth over the whole amphitheatre to exclude the glare of sun. Apertures are still seen in the external coping, with corbels below them, for the support of the masts to which the necessary ropes were attached. The arena was 93 yds. long by 58 yds. wide. Beneath it and adjacent to the foundations of the inner wall, were chambers and dens for the wild beasts. More towards the centre were found a number of walls, pillars, and arches, partly required for the support of the arena, and partly connected with the theatrical apparatus employed to hoist up from below the scenery, properties, etc. required in the combats with beasts, and other performances. Although one-third only of the gigantic structure remains, the ruins are still stupendously impressive. An architect of last century estimated the value of the materials still existing at 1 1/2 million scudi, which according to the present value of money would be equivalent to at least half a million pounds sterling. The Colosseum has ever been a symbol of the greatness of Rome, and gave rise in the 8th cent, to a prophetic saying of the pilgrims: 'While stands the Colosseum, Rome shall stand, When falls the Colosseum, Rome shall fall, And when Rome falls, with it shall fall the World !' The UPPER STORIES should be visited by those who desire to obtain a distinct idea of the character of the structure (staircase in the second arch to the left of the entrance opposite the temple of Venus and Roma; 50 c.). Of the three arcades on the first story we follow the innermost, which affords a survey of the interior. Over the entrance from the Palatine a modern staircase of 48 steps ascends to the 2nd, and then to the left to a projection in the 3rd story. The VIEW from the restored balustrade to the right in the 4th story, to which 55 more steps ascend, is still more extensive. It embraces the Caelius with S. Stefano Rotondo and SS. Giovanni e Paolo; farther off, the Aventine with S. Balbina, in the background S. Paolo Fuori; nearer, to the right, the Pyramid of Cestius; to the right the Palatine, with the arches of the Aqua Claudia. The Colosseum is profoundly impressive by MOONLIGHT, or when illuminated (e.g., by Bengal lights ; comp. p. 128), which permits the general mass to produce its effect unimpaired by the ruin of the details. The traveller should avail himself of a fine moonlight night for the purpose. Visitors may enter the arena at any hour of the night, but a special permesso of the Ministry is necessary for access to the tiers of seats.

ABOUT THE COLOSSEUM