The Colosseum

In the 18th century, the Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, had already been standing for over a thousand years, having been built in AD 70-80 under the Roman Empire. It had seen many uses over the centuries, including gladiator battles, animal hunts, and public executions.

By the 18th century, the Colosseum had fallen into disrepair, with much of its stone taken for use in other buildings. However, it still held a fascination for many visitors to Rome, who marveled at its grandeur and history.

One such visitor was the English poet John Keats, who visited the Colosseum in 1817. Keats was struck by the beauty and haunting atmosphere of the ancient amphitheater, and he wrote a sonnet about it, which begins:

“O Rome! my country! city of the soul! The orphans of the heart must turn to thee, Lone mother of dead empires! and control In their shut breasts their petty misery.”

In the 18th century, the Colosseum was also used as a venue for outdoor concerts and other events. In 1749, the composer George Frideric Handel presented a performance of his oratorio “Messiah” there, with an audience of over 10,000 people.

Despite its dilapidated state, the Colosseum continued to be a popular tourist attraction throughout the 18th century. Visitors marveled at the sheer scale of the structure, and imagined the bloodthirsty spectacles that had taken place within its walls centuries earlier.

Today, the Colosseum remains one of the most iconic and visited landmarks in Rome, and its enduring popularity is a testament to the history and power of the Roman Empire.