Definition

Proper noun * The Colosseum: The historical name for the large, elliptical amphitheater located in the center of Rome, Italy. Its construction was begun by Emperor Vespasian around AD 75-80 and completed by his son Titus in AD 80. It is one of the most iconic symbols of Imperial Rome and ancient engineering.

Usage Notes

• "Amphitheatrum Flavium" is the original Latin name. In modern English, it is almost exclusively referred to as "the Colosseum." Using the Latin name typically indicates a formal, historical, or academic context.
• As a proper noun, it is always capitalized.

Examples

• The Amphitheatrum Flavium could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators.
• While tourists call it the Colosseum, historians often use its original name, the Amphitheatrum Flavium.
• Construction of the Amphitheatrum Flavium was funded by the spoils from the Roman siege of Jerusalem.

Advanced Usage

• The name "Flavium" derives from the of emperors (Vespasian, Titus, Domitian) who oversaw its construction and early modifications.
• In historical texts, you may encounter the phrase "the Flavian Amphitheatre," which is the direct English translation of .

Variants and Related Words

• The Colosseum (n.): The common English name for the Amphitheatrum Flavium.
• The Flavian Amphitheatre (n.): A direct translation used in historical and architectural contexts.
• Amphitheater (n.): A general term for a round or oval open-air venue with tiered seating, such as the Amphitheatrum Flavium.

Synonyms

• The Colosseum
• The Flavian Amphitheatre

Related Phrases

• Flavian dynasty: The imperial family (Vespasian, Titus, Domitian) associated with the amphitheater's construction.
• Roman amphitheater: The general category of structure to which the Amphitheatrum Flavium belongs.

Noun

1. a large amphitheater in Rome whose construction was begun by Vespasian about AD 75 or 80