The Colosseum

The Coliseum is considered the symbol of Rome. This amphitheatre, built in about 10 years, shortly after the A.D.70, was the most imposing of all the monuments in  ancient Rome. This ancient venue, where 50,000 people could be entertained was probably paid for with the treasures brought from raids.  Usually it was used for shows with wild animals, and gladiators, and even sea battles.  In A.D.438 this was abolished and the shows were only about animal hunting.  The last show is dated in A.D.523 by Theodoric, King of Ostrogoths. The Coliseum was named after the giant statue that stood nearby. In medieval times the four-storied theater was used as a quarry until in 1749 it was acclaimed to be a holy site in memory of Christian martyrs that were slain here.   Holes in the remains of the coliseum were made when bronze in the structure was removed to be melted for arms for war.