Colosseum in Rome | video

The Colosseum , originally the Flavian Amphitheater is an elliptical amphitheater in the centre of the city of Rome, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.
Occupying a site just east of the Roman Forum, its construction started under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian’s reign. The name “Amphitheatrum Flavium” derives from both Vespasian’s and Titus’ family name.
Originally capable of seating around 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. It remained in use for nearly 500 years with the last recorded games being held there as late as the 6th century , well after the traditional date of the fall of Rome in 476. As well as the traditional gladiatorial games, many other public spectacles were held there, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building eventually ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such varied purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry and a Christian shrine.
Although it is now in a ruined condition due to damage caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum has long been seen as an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. Today it is one of modern Rome’s most popular tourist attractions and still has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit “Way of the Cross” procession to the amphitheater.

Traian’s Column video

Trajan’s Column is a monument in Rome raised in honor of the Roman emperor Trajan and constructed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus at the order of the Roman Senate. It is located in Trajan’s Forum, built near the Quirinal Hill, north of the Roman Forum. Completed in 113, the freestanding column is most famous for its spiral bas relief, which commemorates Trajan’s victory in the Dacian Wars.
The structure is about 30 meters in height, 38 meters including its large pedestal. The shaft is made from a series of 20 colossal Carrara marble drums, each weighing about 40 tons, with a diameter of about 4 meters . The 190 meter frieze winds around the shaft 23 times. Inside the shaft, a spiral staircase of 185 stairs provides access to a viewing platform at the top.
According to coins depicting the column, it was originally topped with a statue of a bird, possibly an eagle, and later by a heroically nude statue of Trajan himself which disappeared in the Middle Ages. In 1588, it was replaced by a statue of St. Peter by Pope Sixtus V.

Imperial forum

A video about the Imperial forum in Rome. Piano music by Musilosophy.

Republican Forum | Rome.

The Republican Forum in Rome. The song is “Inside” by Musilosophy

Italian pasta in a store

A video showing Italian pasta in a store of Rome.