Rome Pictures: Coliseum

Some more Rome pictures, primarily focused on the Coliseum.

	Some interesting looking older houses near the Vatican.
	Exterior view of the Coliseum. I am sure this was shot through a polarizing filter, hence the deep blue of the sky.
	Interior view of the Coliseum. You can easily see the similarity with today's outdoor stadia. It took me forever to understand all the structure in the middle of the arena. This was actually where animals were stored, combatants prepared (as in Gladiator), etc. On top of this area was the wooden floor of the arena itself, which was in turn covered with sawdust to absorb the blood.
	Another interior view of the Coliseum. It's a bit hard to see in the picture because it's so busy, but the emperor's box is in the middle. It was here the emperor would sit and take in the festivities, and would give the thumb up or thumb down after a gladiator match, indicating whether or not the loser would be killed. One of the main entertainments in the 2nd century Coliseum was the torture of Christians. In the Coliseum, they were fed to the lions, or crucified, or simply burned alive, to the roaring approval of the crowds and the emperor. In the emperor's box today, as seen in the picture, is a Christian cross. The emperors and their empire have long since died, but the Church they tried to destroy stands.
	A view through an arch in the Coliseum. As I noted in earlier photo posts, I liked the use of natural framing.

Tags: Rome, photos, travel