While Coliseum stands, Rome will stand, Coliseum vanishes - Rome will vanish, and together with him - the whole world. Thus spoke the ancient. Nearly 2 thousand years ago in the valley between the Roman hills Esquiline, Caelian and Palatine Hill appeared a stone bowl of the circus. Flavian Amphitheater, Coliseum, is a symbol and witness of the former might of the Rome. Coliseum turned into majestic and picturesque ruins, polished by winds and time, a Roman Empire became a history. However, despite this, today, quoting the poet Martial, "all constructions fade at the Caezar's amphitheater, and only he is to be glorified by people".

Coliseum was not always called "Coliseum". Only in the 8th century this name got a foothold. Moreover, there are two versions of its origin. Some scientists believe that its famous name an amphitheater owes its size. Others argue it owes colossus, the giant statue of Neuron, raised by Emperor in honour of himself.

"Panem et circenses!" - "Bread and circuses!" is the famous slogan of the Roman crowd. That is what people demanded from the state, from the Republican Senate, and from emperors. And if there was irregularity with bread, then with circuses it never happened. Bread and circuses - are two conditions of the Greatest state of antiquity to be able to exist, because the performances, played at the arenas of the circuses, were the gift of gods to the Romans. And gift of the Emperor to his nationals. The Greeks, the Romans predecessors on the throne of the ancient world rulers, preferred theater and sports games, and the Romans craved for other performances, more severe and bloody. Gladiatorial fights - it was their favourite show.

The construction of an amphitheater started the first emperor of the Flavian dynasty, Vespasian, the military commander who won the battle for the throne after the death of Neuron. The amphitheater was opened less than 10 years after the start of construction. There was a memorable event in the 80th year of our era. Rome celebrated One hundred days from the opening of Coliseum.

Coliseum started to turn into ruins in the 8th century (by that time the gladiatorial fights were not held already for 4 centuries), when a Cardinal, a nephew of the Pope, used a stone of the Coliseum for construction of his own palace. Fortunately, Paul III restricted the activities of the nephew by 12 hours. Unfortunately, the Renaissance Popes were less gracious to the Coliseum. Only in 18th century, it started to be protected and preserved. Modern Italian authorities conduct the massive restoration work in the amphitheater, dreaming of turning it into the theatrical scene as time goes by.