The Colosseum

The Colosseum is one of the greatest marvels of the Roman civilization. This amphitheatre was begun by Vespasian in A.D. 72 and finished by his son Titus in A.D. 80. Its real name is "Flavian Amphitheatre", commonly called Colosseum perhaps because the colossus of Nero was in its vicinity. In the Colosseum romans played the so-called "Ludi Circenses", games that were probably invented in the last days of the Republic with the intention of developing the war-like spirit that had made them the conquerors of the world. The Colosseum became the symbol of the city and its life. Thus, the Venerable Bede said:"While the Colosseum stands, Rome shall stand; when the Colosseum falls, Rome shall fall; and when Rome falls, with it the World shall fall".