The Natural Science Of Colosseum

The Colosseum is an amphitheater in Rome where chariot races, gladiator games and animal hunts were held until the 5th century. The elliptical, three-story structure is 620 feet long, 156 feet wide and 152 feet tall. It was constructed with 80 arches in each story. The Colosseum is considered to be an important structure because of its architectural qualities and historical significance.



Beginning
The Colosseum was started by Emperor Vespasian, of the Flavia family, in 71 A.D. The building was completed during the reign of the emperor Domitian, Vespasian's younger son, in 81 A.D. Originally the Colosseum was known as the "Flavian Amphitheater." The building was constructed on the site of the previous emperor Nero's former home. Emperor Nero had constructed an amphitheater in Campus Martis that held larger crowds, but it is believed to have been destroyed during the Great Fire of Rome in 64 A.D.

First Games
The Colosseum was dedicated before the building was finished, in 80 A.D. during the reign of Vespasian's oldest son Titus. After the dedication, the first games were held in the Colosseum for 100 days. During the first games, gladiator matches and animal hunts were held. About 9,000 animals were killed during these games. During the gladiator fights, thousands of people were killed.

Structure
The Colosseum was built with a number of sections, which were organized by social class. It was designed to hold 50,000 spectators. The podium area had marble seats and boxes for the imperial court, including the emperor and city officials. The second tier of seats was designed for the common people. The highest tier of seats was designed for women. There were four ludi, or prisons, near the Colosseum where gladiators trained for battle.

Later games
The most popular games at the Colosseum were chariot races, gladiator games, simulated naval battles and animal hunts. Staged dramas of mythological stories were also held there. Gladiators, slaves, prisoners or volunteers fought in battles to the death during gladiator matches. Gladiator games were held until 404 and were outlawed in 438 A.D. Animal hunts continued at the Colosseum until 523. The games became too expensive to stage, especially as the western part of the Roman Empire had military and financial problems.


Repairs
The first repairs to the Colosseum probably took place in the late first century A.D., when emperors Nerva and Trajan had work done to the building's cavea. In 217, the amphitheater needed repairs after it caught on fire, after being hit by a lightning bolt. Lightning struck the amphitheater again in 250, and earthquakes damaged it in 442 and 470.

Other Occupants
During the Middle Ages, a number of churches and residential structures were erected inside the Colosseum. It was also used as a military fortress. After the games were terminated, the Colosseum was looted for materials. Staring in 1490, passion plays were staged inside. Pope Benedict XIV declared the Colosseum to be a holy site in the 18th century. Starting in 1790, excavations were made of the arena. A major restoration began in 1995 on the outer walls and foundation. In 2000, the Greek National Theater performed three plays inside the Colosseum, including "Oedipus Rex.


source : http://www.ehow.com/about_5378727_history-colosseum-rome.html#ixzz1GuO99iHB

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The Natural Science Of Epidaurus Theater

The sanctuary of Asclepios at Epidaurus is a spiritual place worth traveling around the world to visit! In fact the ancient Greeks did just that in order to pay tribute to their spiritual entities in the face of Asclepios, and to ask the gods for remedies for their physical ailments. It was a healing center as well as a cultural center in ancient times. Epidaurus was built round the 3d Century BC and it is adorned with a multitude of buildings most famous of which is the ancient Theater of Epidaurus.

This is one of the very few theaters that retains its original circular "Orchestra" and it is a rear aesthetic sight. During Roman occupation of Greece, most theater "Orchestras" were changed from a circle to a semicircle but luckily The Theater at Epidaurus escaped intact. The view, aesthetics, and acoustics of the theater are breathtaking, as is the feeling I got when I sat on the ancient limestone stone seat--high up--and thought of all the ancients that might have shared this seat with me. The theater is still in use today with frequent plays, concerts, and festivals.



There is a small museum on site worth visiting for the statues and replicas it contains. It also provides a welcome relief from the relentless summer sun, and the simple water faucet outside of the museum provided about half hour of entertainment for my girls as they played with the water in mid afternoon. The ruins sanctuary of Asclepios is an extended arcaeological site with many interesting buildings and a newly excavated stadium. The most interesting building is by far the Tholos that unfortunately must be experienced by some distance since arcaeologists are working on resroring it.

Getting to Epidaurus is supposed to be easy from Nauplion. I however drove from Athens during my visit, and I followed the signs to the "Ancient Theater of Epidaurus" that I saw after Corinth. They kept popping up at regular internals on our drive as to ensure that we were on the right path. That was just as well because all other indications were that we were on a road to nowhere for a couple of hours. It took a enormous amount of time to get to Epidaurus through this road that was narrow, and with no sign of life (or gas stations) for hours. Next time I will try to go through Nauplion where the road is a bit wider and gas stations more frequent.

The site at Epidaurus is exposed to the elements (sun rays) and the climb through it can be challenging at times (though not as rough as Mycene), so proper attire is advised (sneakers-head gear-sunglasses), and a good supply of water and film as they are commodities not easily obtained once there. The entrance to the site would cost you about US$4 and I would advise to buy one of the simple maps, or guide books sold at the ticket counter.

Overall, Epidaurus provided me with a very rewarding visit, and the theater will be etched the back of my retinas for ever.

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The Soul On Archaeological Site of Delphi

Archaeological Site of Delphi is, according to Greek mythology, the site of the Delphic oracle, a priestess of the Temple of Apollo widely credited for her prophercies. Delphi was the place for the worship of Apollo after he slew the Python, the serpent that guarded Omphalos, the navel of the Earth.

In ancient times, Delphi was also the site of the Pythian Games, one of the four panhellenic games which were the precursors of Modern Olympics. Victors were presented with a laurel crown cut from a tree by a boy who re-enact the slaying of the Python. Today Delphi is an important archaeological site that is a symbol of unity of ancient Greece.

Archaeological Site of Delphi was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site during the 11th session of the World Heritage Committee at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, on 7-11 December, 1987.

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