Colosseum

The history of engineering Emperor Vespasian’s Roman Colosseum, built in antiquity but magnificently impressive to this day. From emperors to gladiators the Colosseum hosted powerful symbols of Ancient Rome’s imperialism and culture. Criminals, professional warriors and animals alike perished within its impressive arches and columns. This documentary reveals the history of architecture behind this amazing ancient megastructure.

The history of engineering Emperor Vespasian’s Roman Colosseum, built in antiquity but magnificently impressive to this day.

The Colosseum rises from the ashes of Emperor Nero’s reign and the greatest fire Rome has ever seen. Nero has built a glorious palace for himself – the Golden House – in the heart of the great city. But his glory does not to last. He commits suicide in AD 68, giving rise to civil war throughout the Roman Empire. Vespasian assumes power and the new emperor decides to bolster his reign with an amphitheatre larger than any other in the Roman world.

To achieve this, he uses brilliant technology that is still used today, such as the cement and the Roman arch, combined with enough ingenuity to drain an entire lake that sits on the site. The amphitheatre of blood is completed in a unbelievably short time and is opened in AD 80 by Vespasian’s son and successor, Titus.