Talk:Colosseum/Archive 2

CATS

The Roman colosseum is home to a large cat colony, mabby the largest in the world. These cats are cared for because they help with the mice and rat infestation. Can somebody please add this inn I am a new user and I can't put it in.--Grand Whilhuff Moff Tarkin (talk) 03:57, 11 January 2009 (UTC)

When was it built?

The article says it was built in 80 A.D. and the chart says 4th century B.C. Which one is correct? Gladiator Knight 16 (talk) 22:20, 15 January 2009 (UTC)

The chart was wrong (it was probably copied from a different article and someone forgot to change the date). Adam Bishop (talk) 02:17, 16 January 2009 (UTC)

THE COLLISUEM IS FROM THE YEAR 2009 THE BEST YEST —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.246.140.189 (talk) 17:29, 31 January 2009 (UTC)

Irrelevant

Chapter 1. Name: "The Colossus did eventually fall, possibly being pulled down to reuse its bronze." Not only is there no citation, this is completely irrelevant in this section. Why is this article semi-protected? This article requires significant cleanup. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bewareofthecow (talk • contribs) 04:06, 8 April 2010 (UTC)

Isn't the Colosseum a Circus_(building)? I think it would be good a reference to that. --LucasW (talk) 14:25, 4 November 2009 (UTC)

No, it's an amphitheater.--Agamemnus (talk) 20:14, 29 October 2010 (UTC)

Citation Needed?

In the opening paragraph, a sentence reads 'It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.' Does this not come across as something that needs to be read as: 'It is considered one of the....' with a citation attached to an appropriate source? 62.252.8.147 (talk) 21:26, 26 November 2009 (UTC)

Pure rubbish

"It has been estimated[who?] that about 500,000 people and over a million wild animals died in the Colosseum games.[6][7]"

this should be removed.--Joking10001 (talk) 12:02, 27 December 2009 (UTC)

Better yet, we should put in a good estimate. Lot 49a^talk 07:59, 5 January 2010 (UTC).

Suggesting a resource

{{editsemiprotected}} Hi!

I would like to suggest this resource

History of Colosseum. http://www.aboutroma.com/colosseum.html

Hello. The source you have provided describes itself as "your tourist guide about Rome". The website contains promotional material, though the content itself does not appear to be directly promotional. That resource may not meet our guidelines on reliable sources or external links. Please review those policies and repost {{editsemiprotected}} if you still believe the site is a reliable resource. Alternately, you may consider finding any sources the website itself cites, and posting them as sources; they will probably be more reliable. If you decide to repost the {{editsemiprotected}}, please specify whether the source will be an inline source (like so^[1]) or a noncited source. If the former, please also specify which statement in the article should be referenced by this source, and consider whether or not a better reference already exists. Cheers, Intelligentsium 00:17, 11 February 2010 (UTC)

Did the Christians end the sick Roman Games?

You know the ones where people were turtured for others amusements? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.143.4.211 (talk) 00:42, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

No. The Romans did.Catiline63 (talk) 00:45, 27 April 2010 (UTC)

Let's not confuse nationality and religion! Still, it was a most silly question. Paul Beardsell (talk) 19:22, 30 June 2010 (UTC)

Suggesting a panorama of Colosseum

{{editsemiprotected}} I would like to suggest the following panorama of Colosseum to be added to the page. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ColossemPanorama1.JPG#file

This beautiful structure surely needs more reverence in the article in terms of pictures that highlight its grandeur and beauty. A panoramic image is one such medium. The above image can be added in the Colosseum#Today section. Rahulakhmani (talk) 11:42, 10 April 2010 (UTC)

 Done Jeffrey Mall (talk • contribs) - 12:24, 10 April 2010 (UTC)

The above image does not accurately represent the building today and should be referred as "at 2008".Anttir717 (talk) 13:11, 14 March 2011 (UTC)

That's a good suggestion so I've made the change. Has it changed since 2008? Nev1 (talk) 13:19, 14 March 2011 (UTC)

Not much. 2011-03-12: http://imgur.com/2AMrw Some Cleaning up done on the inside walls and the hole on the top has been filled. I don't know what's the meaning of the filling of the archways. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Anttir717 (talk • contribs) 06:47, 15 March 2011 (UTC)

Earthquake engineering

I have removed the assertion struck out below, in the 1st sentence of the 2nd para. (1) It is unsupported by citation; (2) the building is not mentioned at the linked WP page, and (3) the assertion is out of place in the article.

Although in the 21st century it stays partially ruined because of damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and its breakthrough achievements in earthquake engineering.

Paul Beardsell (talk) 19:17, 30 June 2010 (UTC)

n gude —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.218.175.242 (talk) 10:20, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

Edit request from Goliath1234, 19 January 2011

{{edit semi-protected}} Please change:

"Occupying a site just east of the Roman Forum, its construction started between 70 and 72 AD"

to:

"Occupying a site just east of the Roman Forum, its construction started between 70 and 72 AD"

As the Rome-Accom.com website is now not in use, and is being re-directed to italy.worldwide-accom.com

Partly done: Actually, that site is a commercial travel site, and thus does not meet Wikipedia's standards for reliable sources. It should never have been in the article in the first place. I've switched to using a citation from a book published by Harvard University Press, which should meet our standards. Qwyrxian (talk) 07:11, 19 January 2011 (UTC)

The subject of "occupying" seems to be "construction." Shouldn't it read "Its construction started between 70 and 72 AD on a site just east of the Roman Forum"? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.120.130.106 (talk) 06:37, 30 May 2012 (UTC)

Edit request from 81.135.93.46, 24 January 2011

{{edit semi-protected}}

There is an unmatched </ref> tag immediate following "The full history of the Colosseum" in the second paragraph.

81.135.93.46 (talk) 12:46, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Done Thanks, I messed that up when I attended to the last edit request--a few of those words didn't even belong there. Qwyrxian (talk) 14:06, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Substantial miss in the popluar culture section

In 1968 a British jazz-rock band (one of the first) called themself Colosseum. Notable members: Jon Hiseman (dr.), Dick Heckstall Smith (sax) and Dave Greenslade (keyb.). Their first album is called 'Those Who Are About To Die Salute You', subtitled 'MORITURI TE SALUTANT', mar. 1969.

Per Hafnar.

Unless there is evidence that the name came specific from The Colosseum, as opposed to the general term "colosseum", or as opposed to the name of many other musical venues worldwide, it shouldn't be included here. We'd need a reference verifying that the name referred specifically to this location. Qwyrxian (talk) 23:30, 8 June 2011 (UTC)

The title and the cover picture should give the evidence. By the way, it's not a circus (circular) or an amphitheatre (half circular), but an arena or stadium (oval).

Per Hafnar

The 3rd paragraph in the 1st chapter...

Shouldn't that list also include chariot races, or does that count as gladiatorial contests or animal hunts (I'm pretty sure it doesn't)? 69.228.197.44 (talk) 01:11, 13 September 2011 (UTC)

Chariot races were usually held in circuses such as the Circus Maximus in Rome. Nev1 (talk) 01:19, 13 September 2011 (UTC)

Queries on the medieval section

I have doubts about two assertions in the mediaeval history section, both unsupported by references. Firstly, that a small church was built in the structure in the 6th century. This is very early, and there should be a Christian patristic reference if it is correct. There was a tiny chapel built next to the arena at the east end in 1519 (according to Keith Hopkins in his book "The Colosseum"). Is there confusion here? Secondly, that there were members of a religious order inhabiting the ruins until the 19th century. Which religious order? If they were merely unorganised hermits, then they should be referred to as such and not as an "order". This word has a restricted meaning in the Roman Catholic Church. Basilwatkinsosb (talk) 15:55, 23 September 2011 (UTC)Basilwatkinsosb

Edit Request

The first paragraph, as well as side panel suggest the build date as "AD". Request for changing it to "CE" for common era. Am121b (talk) 16:58, 12 December 2011 (UTC)

Wikipedia's era convention states that "No preference is given to either style ... Do not arbitrarily change from one era style to the other ... Instead, attempt to establish a consensus for a change at the talk page". Nev1 (talk) 18:10, 12 December 2011 (UTC)

Typo...

"Plebians" is supposed to be spelled plebeians. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.173.38.167 (talk • contribs) 23:47, 13 December 2011‎ (UTC)

Changed. Nev1 (talk) 00:36, 20 December 2011 (UTC)

Colosseum misspelled as "Colosseeum" in the first note: The Colosseeum. Harvard University Press. 2005. p. 2

• Thanks. Drmies (talk) 02:59, 13 January 2012 (UTC)

Dead animal pit

I remember reading that in the 1920's they started to dig up the pit next to the Colosseum where they had buried the animals they killed. The stench from the pit was so bad, covering the city of Rome, that they had to cover the pit back up. Anyone got any info on this? Thanks. 69.106.223.156 (talk) 20:57, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

I have no info, but that sounds like pure BS to me. After atleast 1500 years buried, there is practically no way that those animals would still have flesh to cause the smell of decay. Also their bones likely would be dust by now. There are exceptions to that sure, such as Otzi the snowman [I misspelled his name I know] but he was completely frozen for 5000 years in a alpine climate , and mummies in Egypt were preserved in a super dry desert that had limited moisture to decompose a corpse. Rome's climate is perfect for tearing down old structures [compare the colosseum to the pyramids and you see how the pyramids are holding up better] and for decomposing tissue and bone. Sorry if I rambled on! 107.222.205.242 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 21:15, 15 January 2014 (UTC)

Edit request on 1 March 2012 - External links

I am planning a trip to Rome and I've been studying attentively all the places I wanted to go and I checked out the links that are in this page... I visited them all and "Virtual tour of the Colosseum" should link to "http://rome.arounder.com/it/monumenti/colosseo/colosseum-by-night.html" otherwise you have to look for it by search. "Images and audioguide" doesn't have an audioguide of the colosseum. "Virtual reality movies and audioguides for iPod and mp3" actually sells these audioguides, which I think is against Wikipedia's goal. Of all, I believe that more relevance should be given to "The Colosseum" as it contains a greater in-depth on the subject, maybe by placing it as first external link instead of last, I'm quite glad I've found such valuable information!

Thank you! 195.241.69.252 (talk) 02:08, 1 March 2012 (UTC)

That's fair enough so I've made a few changes. I moved the www.the-colosseum.net link first and removed a couple (including the audio guide site) as that many was drowning out the most useful and there were enough sites hosting images. Nev1 (talk) 02:24, 1 March 2012 (UTC)

Edit Request

In History: Ancient, the last 2 paragraphs, there are some dates that do not have an AD or BC. — Preceding unsigned comment added by AmateurArtist (talk • contribs) 20:00, 6 April 2012‎ (UTC)

You're correct about dates not having AD after them in the final two paragraphs of the history: ancient section, they're probably not necessary. As the section is in chronological order, once it's established that the dates are AD there isn't really a need to keep specifying. Nev1 (talk) 17:33, 10 May 2012 (UTC)

Edit request on 11 May 2012

The Palazzo della Civilta Italiana was very closely modelled on the Colosseum. It was built for Mussolini for the Universal Exhibition of 1942 but the exhibition never happened due to the outbreak of World War Two. The architects were Giovanni Guerrini, Ernesto Bruno La Padula, and Mario Romano.

86.183.1.14 (talk) 10:20, 11 May 2012 (UTC)

Done ~Adjwilley (talk) 23:30, 11 May 2012 (UTC)

Edit request on 12 October 2012

The colosseum was torn down by Roman officials.

76.104.161.6 (talk) 04:10, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

Either vague, or a hoax. In any case, not done. A boat that can float! (watch me float!) 06:17, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

Protection Status

Why on earth is this article locked up/protected? I'm not seeing the danger.... 96.239.184.96 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 19:27, 5 January 2013 (UTC)

Too many pictures

This articles contains too many images showing the same from different angles. They should be replaced with images showing different features of the architecture. ♆ CUSH ♆ 13:07, 27 January 2013 (UTC)

Colosseum or The Colosseum

I've always heard of it referred to as "The Colosseum", never as "Colosseum" alone. Should "the" be in the title? Ryan Vesey 16:20, 3 April 2013 (UTC)

• See WP:THE. It does not fulfill either criteria listed in the lede. Compare the Netherlands — Crisco 1492 (talk) 23:42, 8 April 2013 (UTC)

File:Colosseo di Roma panoramic.jpg to appear as POTD

Hello! This is a note to let the editors of this article know that File:Colosseo di Roma panoramic.jpg will be appearing as picture of the day on April 24, 2013. You can view and edit the POTD blurb at Template:POTD/2013-04-24. If this article needs any attention or maintenance, it would be preferable if that could be done before its appearance on the Main Page. Thanks! — Crisco 1492 (talk) 23:42, 8 April 2013 (UTC)

Picture of the day

A panoramic view of the interior of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. Built in the 1st century AD as a site for gladiatorial shows as well as a variety of other events, the Colosseum is now a major tourist attraction.Photo: Paolo Costa Baldi

Demonstrably untrue claim

" It is the largest amphitheatre in the world.[2]"

This is not true. It may have been the largest amphitheatre built in the "ancient" world.

It may be the largest amphitheatre, if you are using a special definition of the word "amphitheatre" which applies only to structures built in the "ancient" era.

But there are countless modern structures which would meet the definition of an amphitheatre, and which are larger than the Colosseum, and many of these even have the word "amphitheatre" as part of their official title. I have therefore changed the claim in the first paragraph.Eregli bob (talk) 17:05, 26 April 2013 (UTC)

I'm very keen on expunging demonstrably untrue claims (I found this questionable as well when I recently tweaked the intro), but this appears to be what the cited source says. Can you give us a better source than the one cited so we can change this if it's wrong on the facts? Thanks, Cynwolfe (talk) 18:00, 26 April 2013 (UTC)

The Flavian Amphitheater was never flooded for mock naval battles as this description claims. Beneath the wooden floor of the amphitheater were the approximate two stories of the hypogeum where gladiators and animals alike awaited their turn in the arena - often lifted up by elevator systems in the hypogeum through trap doors in the arena floor. If the amphitheater was flooded the hypogeum too would be flooded through the wooden floor of the arena. Claiming that this amphitheater was flooded demonstrates a basic lack of knowledge of its construction. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 162.17.187.253 (talk) 03:23, 5 December 2013 (UTC)

Magical powers

(quote) "The statue remained standing well into the medieval era and was credited with magical powers. It came to be seen as an iconic symbol of the permanence of Rome."

That target redirects to Magic (paranormal). I expect to send it back to the disambiguation page Magic.

What powers? If the statue was considered to protect Rome magically, not merely represent permanence symbolically, we should say it all in one sentence --with a link appropriate to protective magic, I suppose.

--P64 (talk) 20:31, 9 August 2013 (UTC)

An estimated 100,000 prisoners were bought back to Rome as slaves after the Jewish War. Vespasian had a limitless work force. In the building of the Colosseum the slaves undertook the manual labor such as working in the quarries at Tivoli where the travertine was quarried. Slaves would also have been used to lift and transport the heavy stones 20 miles from Tivoli to Rome. Teams of professional Roman builders, engineers, artists, painters and decorators undertook the skilled tasks necessary for building the Colosseum. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.76.113.2 (talk) 13:45, 18 October 2013 (UTC)