... five-levelled tiered seating granted visibility, a velarium shaded the spectators from the sun, and thirteen-foot podiums with top rollers prevented beasts from climbing-all of these were issues of safety. The seating plan was imperative to hierarchy, with the emperor seated in the centre, which was securely separated from the crowd yet visible to all. The consul, vestal virgins etc. also had their secured seating area. The women and slaves were located to the top tier only. For safety, access routes were planned carefully to control the crowd, honeycombed stairwells reached different levels and the 76 arched entrances were numbered, each organized by social standing, such as the upper levels for the commoners were simple and undecorated, while the entrances used by the emperor was decorated with marble panelling. The Colosseum suggests splendour and grandeur of the society in Rome whereas the central locality signifies the emperor's patronage and power. 308 words ...

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