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    The Colosseum, a huge amphitheatre, situated in Rome, Italy was built to celebrate the victories of the ancient Roman Empires. It had a capacity of seating about 50000 spectators. Its construction was started between 70AD and 72AD by the Roman Emperor Flavius Vespaian after whom it was originally known as flavian amphitheatre. It was completed in 80AD by his son, Titus and further modified by the younger son, Domitian.

    The Colosseum continued to be used for nearly 500 years, i.e., even after the fall of Rome in 476AD. In addition to the various other forms of entertainment, it was used for bloody fights of gladiators. The gladiators were mostly prisoners of war or slaves specially trained in school set up nearby. They fought among themselves or against wild animals. It is said that over 9000 animals were killed its inauguration itself. The life or death of the loser, in the battles between the gladiators, depends on the whim of the spectators. They could demand that the loser be killed by pointing their thumb downwards or allowed r=to live by pointing it upwards. In most of the case the loser was mercilessly slaughtered by the winner, on the demand of the mob or the king. The Colosseum was 48-meters-high, 185-meters-long and 156-meters-wide, only the northern part of its 545-meters-long outer wall now exists. The arena itself measured 83*48 meters. The Colosseum derives its name from the huge statue Nero which is known as Colossus, This statue, which stood nearby, does not now exist.

    Once the symbol of cruelty to man and the beast, the Colosseum has now become the opposition to death penalty. Several anti-death penalty demonstrations were held in front, of it in the year 2000. Since then, whenever a prisoner is executed anywhere in the world, local authorities illuminate it at night, changing its colour from white to gold. Having 80 entrances and an elaborate system of seat allocation, the Colosseum still serve as a model for modern stadia all over the world. It has now been voted one of the Seven Wonders of the World……

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