Amphitheatrum Flavium

 

 

The Colosseum, or the Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium, Italian Anfiteatro Flavio or Colosseo), is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.

 

Occupying a site just east of the Roman Forum, its construction started in 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian's reign. The name "Amphitheatrum Flavium" derives from both Vespasian's and Titus's family name (Flavius, from the gens Flavia).

Capable of seating 50,000 spectators,the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests (as you would have seen in the Hollywood Movie "The Gladiator") and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era.

 

The name Colosseum has long been believed to be derived from a colossal statue of Nero nearby (the statue of Nero itself being named after one of the original ancient wonders, the Colossus of Rhodes).

 

The Colossus did eventually fall, possibly being pulled down to reuse its bronze. By the year 1000 the name "Colosseum" had been coined to refer to the amphitheatre. The statue itself was largely forgotten and only its base survives, situated between the Colosseum and the nearby Temple of Venus and Roma.

 

The Story:

As a part of my "Explore Europe" trips over the weekends, I went to Rome on the 11th and 12th of June. It has become customary for me to do a little research with a squint eye looking at the blue hour photography opportunity - this time, day 1 was a no brainer. Although, I decided that I want a shot of the Colosseum, I avoided looking at shots online so that I could get a fresh perspective through my lens. And as it has been over the past few pictures on this I chose the Canon 10-22 to capture this mammoth beauty onto a single frame. That decision kind of backfired a bit as the structure was too big to photograph from close quarters - I was able to get it into the frame alright, but there was too much barrel distortion on a few shots.

 

Eventually, I settled for this composistion from across the road - where they will find the Colloseo Metro station when they dig up about 2000 years from now.

 

The Shot:

ISO 100 | f/10 | 10 sec | f/16