The Colosseum

The "Colosseum"

This enormous amphitheatre used for gladiatorial games was made with concrete, mortar and gravel with rubble because it was strong, cheap and flexible. A layer of brick covered the concrete or stone, as well as marble or layers of plaster. The Romans used classical Greek columns (Doric, Ionic and the popular Corinthian Orders) in innovative ways. A Roman invention used in the "Colosseum" was the arch. [MH] {NR}