The Colosseum

The welled renowned Collosseum known for gladiator contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles and dramatic plays. Of course, my boys will love this.

Just east of the Colosseum is the Roman Forum. The construction started in 72AD under the emperor Vespasian and completed in 80AD under Titus.

The ruins remain partly damaged due from devastating earthquakes and stone robbers.

The name Colosseum has been believed to derive from a colossal statue of Nero (the statue of Nero was named after the Colossus of Rhodes).

The statue was later remodeled into the likeness of Apollo, the sun god. The statue remained well into the medieval era and was believed to have magical powers.

The building, capable of seating 50,000 people, ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era.

The Colosseum was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for religious order, a fortress, a quarry and a Christian shrine.

The ruffly cobblestoned road is the path to the Roman Forum. Several important ancient government buildings at the center of Rome are surrounded by ruins. This area was originally a marketplace for the citizens. This has been called the most celebrated meeting place in the world, in all history.

The Forum today, is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and excavations attracting numerous sightseers.

The Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome.

These were ruins found in the Colosseum. They stated most of the building had been rebuilt over the years. The only thing they did not redo were the sewers. They were able to find many items that show us how they lived back in that era.

Gladiators were slaves and well fed by their masters. The best and most robust were sent to Rome. Fighting was their way to freedom.

The Colosseum is currently one of Rome's most popular attractions. This building marks the period of great change of the history of Rome and thus the history of the entire world.