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Colosseum
Colosseum or Coliseum , Ital. Colosseo, common name of the Flavian Amphitheater in Rome, near the southeast end of the Forum, between the Palatine and Esquiline hills. Begun by Vespasian, c.AD 75, and completed by his son Titus in AD 80, it is the most imposing of Roman antiquities. The vast four-storied oval is 617 ft (188 m) by 512 ft (156 m), much of which is still standing; it had tier on tier of marble seats accommodating c.45,000 spectators. It encloses an arena measuring 250 ft (76 m) by 151 ft (46 m) where gladiatorial combats were held (see gladiators ) until 404. According to tradition, persecuted Christians were thrown there to beasts. The Colosseum has been damaged several times by earthquakes.
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"Colosseum." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Colosseum." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Colosseu.html "Colosseum." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Colosseu.html |
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Colosseum
Colosseum The medieval name for the Amphitheatre Flavium, a vast amphitheatre in Rome begun by the emperor Vespasian c.75 AD and continued and completed by Titus and Domitian. It was capable of holding c.50,000 people, with seating in three tiers and standing room above; an elaborate system of staircases served all parts. The arena, floored with timber and surrounded by a fence, was the scene of gladiatorial combats, fights between men and animals, and large-scale mock battles.
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"Colosseum." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Colosseum." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Colosseum.html "Colosseum." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Colosseum.html |
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Colosseum
Colosseum Ampitheatre in Rome, built ad 72–81 by the Emperor Vespasian. One of the most awe-inspiring examples of ancient Roman architecture, it measures 189 × 156m (620 × 513ft) by 45.7m (150ft) high, and seated c.50,000 people. Citizens of Rome came here to watch gladiatorial contests and, according to tradition, the martyrdom of Christians.
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"Colosseum." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Colosseum." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Colosseum.html "Colosseum." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Colosseum.html |
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Colosseum
Colosseum. The name by which the ‘Flavian Amphitheatre’ at Rome has been known since about the 8th cent. Completed c.AD 80, it has been venerated as the scene of many early martyrdoms; the truth of this tradition has been questioned.
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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Colosseum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Colosseum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-Colosseum.html E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Colosseum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-Colosseum.html |
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Colosseum
Colosseum the name since medieval times of the Amphitheatrum Flavium, a vast amphitheatre in Rome, begun c.75 ad; the name is Latin, and is the neuter of colosseus ‘gigantic’.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Colosseum." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Colosseum." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Colosseum.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Colosseum." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Colosseum.html |
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