Colosseum: amphitheater of ancient Rome

Colosseum

The great Flavian amphitheater of ancient Rome, said to be so named from the colossal statue of Nero that stood close by in the Via Sacra. It was begun by Vespasian in 72 A. D., and, for 400 years, was the scene of the gladiatorial contests. The ruins remaining are still colossal and extensive, but quite two-thirds of the original building have been taken away at different times and used for building material.

Byron, adapting the exclamation of the 8thcentury pilgrims (and adopting a bad spelling), says:

While stands Coliseum, Rome shall stand; When falls the Coliseum, Rome shall fall: And when Rome falls--the world.

Childe Harold, IV. cxlv.

The name has since been applied to other amphitheaters and places of amusement.

5 Star Hotels in Rome

Aldrovandi Palace, 15 Via Ulisse Aldrovandi 00197
Ambasciatori Palace, 62 Via Vittorio Veneto 00187
Bernini Bristol, 23 Piazza Barberini 00187
Cavalieri Hilton, 101 Via Cadlolo 00136
De Russie, 9 Via del Babuino 00187
Eden, 49 Via Ludovisi 00187
Exedra, 47 Piazza della Repubblica 00185
Grand Hotel De La Minerve, 69 Piazza della Minerva 00186
Hassler Villa Medici, 6 Piazza Trinita' dei Monti 00187
Intercontinental De La Ville Roma, 69 Via Sistina 00187
Le Grand Hotel St.Regis Grand
Lord Byron, 5 Via Giuseppe De Notaris 00197
Majestic, 50 Via Vittorio Veneto 00187
Parco Dei Principi, 5 Via Gerolamo Frescobaldi 00198
Plaza, 126 Via del Corso 00186
Radisson Sas Hotel Roma, 171 Via Filippo Turati 00185
Regina Hotel Baglioni, 72 Via Vittorio Veneto 00187
Splendide Royal, 14 Via di Porta Pinciana 00187
Villa Spalletti Trivelli, 4 Via Piacenza 00184
Westin Excelsior, 125 Via Vittorio Veneto 00187