Rome, Italy - Colosseum & Palentine Hill

 The Colosseum was originally known as the Flavia Amphitheater because it was built by Emperors Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian, successors to Nero of the Flavian dynasty.  When Nero was deposed and Emperor Vespasian ascended to the throne, he had Nero's palace complex torn down & ordered that the Colosseum be built on top what had been an artificial lake.  The construction of the Colosseum was built with Travertine Stone and completed in the year 80AD.  The Colosseum is the grand amphitheater for all Roman citizens could seek entertainment.  The arena would have bloody gladiator battles, epic hunts pitting humans against wild animals, and gruesome executions of prisoners of war and criminals.  Unfortunately, Vespasian descended before it's completion.  

                                  LIII                                     LIII

It consisted of 80 arches on each level, of these 76 were numbered with roman numerals.  If you look closely, you can see the Roman Numerals just above the arches.

Original Colosseum

After the Colosseum, we walked up to Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill was the location of magnificent imperial palaces.  The residence of the city's affluent society.  

Views of Rome from the Hill

In this picture you can see the Colosseum in the background