what did the colosseum look like?

The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is one of Rome's most iconic monuments and a masterpiece of Roman architecture and engineering. Built between 70 and 80 AD under the emperors Vespasian and Titus, the Colosseum could seat between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. Its structure is mainly made of travertine, a type of limestone, and has an ellipse measuring approximately 189 metres long and 156 metres wide.

The Colosseum consists of four levels: the first and second have arches, while the third and fourth have windows. The arcades were decorated with columns of different architectural orders: Doric on the first floor, Ionic on the second and Corinthian on the third. The upper part had a velarium, a large curtain that protected the spectators from the sun.

Inside, the amphitheatre was divided into sectors for different social classes, with reserved seats for the emperor and senators. Under the floor of the arena were cages for the animals and mechanisms for special effects, which made the spectacles even more impressive. The Colosseum was not only a place of entertainment, but also a symbol of the power and greatness of the Roman Empire.