Kolosseum
72AD. The site chosen was a flat area on the floor of a low valley between the Caelian,
Esquiline and Palatine Hills, through which a canalised stream ran. By the 2nd century BC the
area was densely inhabited. It was devastated by the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64, following
which Nero seized much of the area to add to his personal domain. He built the grandiose
Domus Aurea on the site, in front of which he created an artificial lake surrounded by
pavilions, gardens and porticoes. The existing Aqua Claudia aqueduct was extended to supply
water to the area and the gigantic bronze Colossus of Nero was set up nearby at the entrance
to the Domus Aurea.Although the Colossus was preserved, much of the Domus Aurea was
torn down. The lake was filled in and the land reused as the location for the new Flavian
Amphitheatre. Gladiatorial schools and other support buildings were constructed nearby
within the former grounds of the Domus Aurea
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