The Colosseum remains one of the most recognizable of the seven wonders of the world. It is a marvel of the
ancient world and a monument to one of the greatest civilizations in western history. Built in 72 A.D. by the
Flavian dynasty, the Colosseum was erected at the peak of the Roman Empire. To create this marvel,
builders used materials that were pioneered by the Romans such as brick and concrete. Additionally, round
arches, a staple of Roman architecture, were implemented heavily in the construction of the Colosseum.
While the Colosseum was considered revolutionary for its time, rivaling other structures with its size and
materials, it still paid homage to the past. Like much of Roman culture, the Colosseum borrowed from the
Greeks. Planners of the Colosseum used a variety of Greek columns to decorate and support the structure of
the amphitheater.
The Colosseum was primarily used as a form of entertainment for the citizens and the ruling class of the
Roman empire. It housed around 50,000 people and had a retractable awning that would come out and shield
spectators from the heat. Romans enjoyed all kinds of spectacles in the Colosseum. Gladiator matches were
among some of the most-watched events. Men fought against animals and each other to the death. They were
often prisoners or slaves trying to gain their freedom through brutal battles. Many, however, died gruesome
deaths. Romans’ taste for blood was unmatched at this time. Thousands of battles took place in the
Colosseum all in the name of entertainment and relaxation. In addition to the combat fights, animal fights
and even large mock naval battles took place within the stone walls of the theater. Water would fill the floor
of the colosseum and boats would fill the arena. It came at a great cost to those hosting the event but made
for spectacular naval performances.
The Colosseum saw much use during its time, over four centuries of it. Times change though.
The public grew tired of combat sports, and the damage to the Colosseum from natural disasters limited its use.
For a ong time, the Colosseum was abandoned entirely, but around the 1700’s a few popes decided to declare the Colosseum as a holy site.
Today, the Colosseum has resurged as a popular tourist attraction, and as a site of cultural world heritage. Millions of tourists around the world visit the Colosseum each year, and in 2007 it was declared the seventh wonder of the world. It stands along the like of The Great Pyramids, The Great
Wall of China, The Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, Petra, and other great monuments.
The Colosseum and these other sites have become apart of a new initiative of new seven wonders. These candidates were selected by a Swiss company who came up with the list after reviewing over two hundred monuments and then creating an online poll to decide the new seven wonders of the world.
Now, the Colosseum and any one of these
structures can be visited an appreciated people of all nations.
Source: 7 Wonders of The World.
