Colosseum's Usage

The Colosseum was used to host gladiatorial shows as well as a variety of other events. The shows, called munera, were always given by private individuals rather than the state. They had a strong religious element but were also demonstrations of power and family prestige, and were immensely popular with the population. Another popular type of show was the animal hunt, or venatio. This utilized a great variety of wild beasts, mainly imported from Africa and the Middle East, and included creatures such as rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, elephants, giraffes, aurochs, wisents, Barbary lions, panthers, leopards, bears, Caspian tigers, crocodiles and ostriches.

2017-03-13
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Colosseum's Usage
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Colosseum's name

The Colosseum's original Latin name was Amphitheatrum Flavium, often anglicized as Flavian Amphitheatre. The building was constructed by emperors of the Flavian dynasty, following the reign of Nero. The name Colosseum is believed to be derived from a colossal statue of Nero that once stood nearby. It was then commonly referred to as the "Colossus solis" or only "Colossus". The Colossus did eventually fall but the year 1000 the name "Colosseum" had been coined to refer to the amphitheatre.

2017-03-13
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Colosseum's name
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Interior seating in Colosseum

Special boxes were provided at the north and south ends respectively for the Emperor and the Vestal Virgins, providing the best views of the arena. Flanking them at the same level was a broad platform or podium for the senatorial class, who were allowed to bring their own chairs. The tier above the senators, known as the maenianum primum, was occupied by the non-senatorial noble class or knights (equites). The next level up, the maenianum secundum, was originally reserved for ordinary Roman citizens (plebeians) and was divided into two sections. The lower part (the immum) was for wealthy citizens, while the upper part (the summum) was for poor citizens.

2017-03-13
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Interior seating in Colosseum
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Domus Tiberianus

Domus Tiberiana was an imperial palace on the Palatine of Rome. The palace was started by Emperor Tiberius and enlarged by Nero. Cryptoporticus runs along its entire eastern side. Domus Tiberiana does not normally appear to have been used by the emperor himself, but was disposed of by the successor to the throne. In this panorama can also be seen: remains of Temple of Castor and Polllux, Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, courtyard of house of Vestals and Basilica Maxentius.

2017-03-13
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Domus Tiberianus
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Arch of Septimus Severus

The Arch of Septimius Severus at the northwest end of the Roman Forum is a white marble triumphal arch dedicated in 203 to commemorate the Parthian victories of Emperor Septimius Severus and his two sons, Caracalla and Geta, in the two campaigns against the Parthians of Persia in 194/195 and 197-199. In this panorama also can be seen: Churc Santi Luca e Martina, Column of Phocasand remains of: Temple of Castor and Pollux, Temple of Saturn and Temple of Vespasianus.

2017-03-13
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Arch of Septimus Severus
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Column of Phocas

The Column of Phocas (Colonna di Foca) is a Roman monumental column in the Roman Forum of Rome, Italy. Erected in front of the Rostra and dedicated or rededicated in honour of the Eastern Roman Emperor Phocas on August 1, 608, it was the last addition made to the Forum Romanum. The fluted Corinthian column stands 13.6 m (44 ft) tall on its cubical white marble socle. The monument remains today in its original location (in situ). Its isolated, free-standing position among the ruins has always made it a landmark in the Forum. Also seen in the panorama: Arch of Septimus Severus, remains of Temple of Saturn, Temple of Vespasianus.

2017-03-13
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Column of Phocas
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Antoninus and Faustina Temple

The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina is an ancient Roman temple in Rome, which was later converted into a Roman Catholic church, the Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Miranda. It is located in the Forum Romanum, on the Via Sacra, opposite the Regia. The temple was constructed by the Emperor Antoninus Pius, beginning in 141 AD. It was initially dedicated to his deceased and deified wife, Faustina the Elder. Because of this, Faustina was the first Roman empress with a permanent presence in the Forum Romanum. When Antoninus Pius was deified after his death in 161 AD, the temple was re-dedicated to both Antoninus and Faustina by his successor, Marcus Aurelius. Also seen in this panorama: Remains of "Temple of Castor and Pollux" and "Temple of Vesta".

2017-03-13
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Antoninus and Faustina Temple
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House of the Vestals

The House of the Vestal Virgins was the residence of Vestal Virgins, located behind the circular Temple of Vesta at the eastern edge of the Roman Forum, between the Regia and the Palatine Hill. The Atrium Vestae was a three-story 50-room palace in the ancient Roman Forum built around an elegant elongated atrium or court with a double pool. To the very east is an open vaulted hall with a statue of Numa Pompilius, the mythological founder of the cult. Also seen in this panorama: "Temple of Castor and Pollux" and "Temple of Antoninus and Faustina"

2017-03-13
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House of the Vestals
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