The Colosseum

Paper Summary:

This paper describes and discusses the Colosseum in Rome. More specifically, the paper provides a history and a physical description of the Colosseum as well as a discussion of how the ancient Romans used the structure and an explanation of the source of its name and its usage today. The paper includes a summary of the research in the conclusion.

Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Superlatives quickly fail when describing the Colosseum. The encyclopedic entry for the Colosseum (2004) reports that it is a four-storied oval measuring 617 feet (188 meters) by 512 feet (156 meters), much of which is remains standing today; the building featured a tier on tier design comprised of marble seats that could accommodate about 45,000 spectators; in addition, the Colosseum encloses an arena measuring 250 feet (76 meters) by 151 feet (46 meters) and gladiatorial combats were held there until AD 404 (The Colosseum 357). The Temple of Venus and Rome faced the Colosseum (Robathan 84). According to this author (1950), "Recent investigation reveals that there was no colonnade on the side facing the Colosseum. Beneath the platform at that end where the temple stood high above the level of the Colosseum valley a series of rooms has been found."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Colosseum, The. (2007). The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. New York: Columbia University Press.
• Claridge, Amanda, Tony Cubberley and Judith Toms. An Oxford Archaeological Guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.
• "History of the Colosseum, The." (2002). Architectural Science Review 45(4):386.
• Morey, Charles Rufus and Margaret R. Scherer. Marvels of Ancient Rome. New York: Phaidon Press, 1955.
• Robathan, Dorothy M. The Monuments of Ancient Rome. Rome: "L'Erma" di Bretschneider, 1950.

More papers on The Colosseum:

• Essay # 73044 : "The Colosseum"
• Essay # 36482 : "The Colosseum and Roman Life"
• Analytical Essay # 129614 : "The Heyday of the Roman Colosseum"

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