Colosseum

Colosseum

What Is the Colosseum? The Roman Colosseum was built almost two thousand years ago. It still stands in the center of Rome, the capital of Italy. The Colosseum is about the size of a modern sports stadium. Romans went to the Colosseum to watch different types of games. Men called gladiators fought each other in some games. In other games, men fought wild animals. Sometimes, wild animals were made to fight each other.

The Romans and Rome Rome once ruled a large empire. Romans fought many battles to defeat other countries and make their empire larger. One emperor of Rome built the Colosseum for the Roman people. He wanted them to enjoy games. He also wanted the building to stand for the power and glory of the Roman Empire.

Building the Colosseum First, large amounts of soil had to be removed from the ground to build the Colosseum. Then, workers began to build. Ancient Romans made wooden cranes to lift and move stones. Heavy stones were used at the bottom of the building. Lighter stones were used toward the top of the building.

Important Parts The Colosseum was made in the shape of an oval. Seats rose in curved rows around an open space where the games took place. The Colosseum had four floors. Arches were built on three of the floors to help hold the weight of the stones above.

Beneath the Colosseum were rooms where people and animals waited to come out to the stadium floor. A cover gave shade to the people watching the games.