COLOSSEUM

the name given to a celebrated amp i theatre in Rome, one of the most important monuments of Roman antiquity. It was begun by Vespas i an, finished in A.D. 80 by Titus, and was known originally as the Flavian amp i theatre, Flavius being the family name of these two emperors. The name C. was first employed by Bede in the 8th century, in reference no doubt to its colo al size; it was the colo al building par excellence. The C. was used for combats of gladiators and wild beasts; after the shows the arena was often filled with water and used for nautical displays. It is now in ruins—a gigantic stone carca . Several times ravaged by fire and always restored, it served the barbaric pleasures of the Romans until the end of the 6th century. Since then it has suffered pillage at the hands of the barbarians, has been\used as a fortre by brigands of noble Roman family, has been transformed into a huge quarry, marble for the Forum being calcined there in lime-kilns, and its own stones have been carried away for building purposes. Pope Benedict VIII. saved it from further devastation by consecrating it to the memory of the Christian martyrs and by erecting cro es and oratories within its walls. Popes Pius VII., Leo XII., and Pius VIII. have further preserved it by buttre ing the walls, etc. In form the C. is an éllipse whose axes measure about 612 ft. and 515 ft.; its height is 160 to 180 ft., and the arena about 250 ft. by 160 ft. It is estimated to have held seats for 87,000 persons and standing room for