Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-30
From the Neao York. american.
THE COIISEUM

The Coliseum, the finest ruin in Rome, was
originally an amphitheatre for the exhibition OF
games. twas built by Flavius Vespasian, on
his return from Jerusalem, and was capable oil
holding at one time upwards OF hundred thou
sand spectators. 1t stands on the spot where
was formerly lake, in the gardens OF Nero,
once the very centre of the city. but now quite
in the suburbs Five thousand wild beasts, and
as many gladiators, we're destroyed at the first
exhibition given in it by the emperor. 1t ter
inmates the old cia sdcru, which, commencing
at the foot of the Capitoline hill, ran between
the Palatine on the right and the Esqueline Oh
the left This sacred ground, once the seat OF
the Forum, and adorned with. the most spen-
did temples of the city,is now desolate region.
A few columns and pillars yet remain standing,
to grace the solitude. The summit Of the Pa
latine Hill, on the right, is crowned with the
ruins Of Nero's baths, and the palace OF the
C1sars. AT its base stand the triumphal arch
es of Constantine and Titus, yet almost entire.
Opposite to these stand the pillars OF the tenn
pie of Autoninus and Faustina, and the stupen.
dous arches of the temple of Peace. The per-
spective is terminated by the Coliseum itself,
which rises amidst this waste OF ruins, the no.
blest Of them all. An idea Of its size may be
gathered from the fact, that although half the
palaces Of Rome are built of its materials, there
It's height rs one hundred and ffiy seven feet,
and its circumference sixteen hundred and for
'. cS,:,ss.s.s OF three stories fopen
49, a.ch arch divided from tive other by
a:,a. The lower row of pillars is OF Doric,
p."a ...ona &c Ionic, and the third OF Corinthian
- ONLY one half of the exterior wall re-
a;ae This side retains its full height The
s;,e side is much more rninous, and has
ar rt IN some places more than one story.
IT, ;r,sr;or is sfruinous that scarcely any
ny No formeSof its ancient structure
..hs,ructionJ of some Of the old seats and
,..;.s remain,but the seats have long since
Sa.rsd is entirely open above; but
,sp The cams were exhibited, an awning was
"asn,r over 0 protect the spectators. he
cellars and ms IN which the Wild beasts were
ce,.S s.d " rrmain. Broken statues and col
Cohu" ewed around the sidesof the arena.ID
VIM. ~,, stands cross, * little chapels orna-
tue 18th rude paintings Of the Virgin are
Around its whole circumference. Thus
is TIN.
oe spectators were accommodated in three
syries, which rose above each other in regu-
Order: below these was the Podium, which
ended around the whole circumference Of
Ae arena, and was appropriated to the royal
aamily, the senator's, and the yestals. Immedi-
atey under the Podium were the dens In which
the beasts were confined till the moment OF
combat.
Our first view of the Coliseum was by moon
liglM The moon was rising full over the Pa
laiine Hill, and threw its soft beams through
the arches, giving an uncertain and mellow
light to the whole interior. Every thing con-
spired to heighten the grandeur of the scene
the desolation without--the silence within. No
sound was heard but the hooting of the owl:
while the ivy that encircled the lofty arches,
waving in the nigh! breeze, seemed 10 mourn
over this wreck Of greatness-the mausoleum
Of Rome. n.