| Ancient Rome was the dominant power for hundreds | | | | By 508, the Coliseum was in disrepair, in part because |
| of years and left a mark on the word. The ancient | | | | of two massive earthquakes that hit the structure. |
| Roman Coliseum is the single structure that most | | | | By the Middle Ages, the structure had been hit by |
| exemplifies this fact. | | | | even more earthquakes, and was eventually |
| Ancient Roman Coliseum | | | | converted into a fortress. A Christian church was |
| Perhaps the most well-known of all of the structures in | | | | even constructed in a small corner of the ancient |
| Rome, the ancient Roman Coliseum is an important | | | | Roman Coliseum. The original marble outer covering |
| part of the history of the Roman Empire. This | | | | was removed bit by bit, and reused in constructions of |
| structure, built in the 70's AD, was once the most | | | | other buildings and palaces nearby, and in some cases, |
| important site in all of Rome, and also the largest | | | | burned to produce quicklime. In the Middle Ages is also |
| amphitheater built in the Empire. Holding up to 70,000 | | | | when the Coliseum gained its name, which is said to |
| spectators, ruins of the Coliseum still stand today as a | | | | have been taken from a colossus, or large statue, of |
| testament to its powerful status in Rome. | | | | Nero that was located near the structure. The former |
| The ancient Roman Coliseum was originally known as | | | | name of the site, the Flavian Amphitheater, became |
| the Flavian Amphitheater, and was built during the reign | | | | disused and is hardly known at this time. |
| of emperors Vespasian and his son Titus. Building on | | | | At the present, the ruins of the ancient Roman |
| the Coliseum started in the year 72 AD, and was | | | | Coliseum still stand in Rome. The arena floor no longer |
| completed in the year 80 AD. The amphitheater was | | | | exists, but there are still parts of the walls, the |
| constructed in the location of emperor Nero's lake | | | | underground structures known as the hypogeum, and |
| below the site of his massive palace. The Coliseum | | | | the 80 separate entrances are still evidenced. |
| was continuously used until the year 217, when a | | | | Additional buildings were built around the Coliseum to |
| lightning strike caused a fire at the site, causing | | | | support the site, and there are still parts of these |
| damage. The amphitheater was repaired by the year | | | | buildings that are standing - such as the armory and |
| 238, and after this gladiators fought here until | | | | gladiator training schools. |
| Christianity ruled the practice was not to be continued. | | | | |