... and Roman public buildings of the time. Though not original in design, the use of superimposed half-columns of Tuscan, Ionic and Corinthian orders were symbolic of tradition; the combination of wide arches and columns provided elegant articulation and interest, and gave the structure a sturdy yet welcoming façade and instilled a sense of openness. The Colosseum, like all other Roman amphitheatres, was a tool of Romanization, not merely in terms of its outer form, but also as an ideological exhibition of power (TV6). Built on land previously occupied by Nero's palace, it is as a political emblem that its design achieves a perfect fusion of form and function. The huge size and central position are symbolic of the supremacy of the Roman Empire, whilst its articulation epitomises imperial grandeur, and gives the Colosseum its meaning as a great public monument of Imperial Rome. Word count: 299 'The Roman games were cruel and degrading, ...

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