AUGUST 23rd: the COLOSSEUM IS ON FIRE

Built in the heart of Rome to mark the coming to power of a new dynasty, the Colosseum has in turn represented the strength of the people, Roman omnipotence, the great Christian persecutions, then the pride and resilience of the Italians. When Nero, who had made the center of Rome his private palace, died, the emperor Vespasian ordered the construction of an amphitheater of Greek inspiration to make it a public place, around the year 70 AD. During its construction, Titus won the wars of Judea and takes Jerusalem; its plunder provides the means necessary to beautify the Colosseum, and the building becomes a warning to anyone who wishes to oppose Rome.
Bread and games
In the wake of the eruption of Vesuvius, the hundred days of festivities surrounding the inauguration of the Colosseum are an occasion of distraction for the Romans. During the building's heyday, it featured gladiatorial and exotic animal fights, as well as gruesome reconstructions of Greek myths in which prisoners were put to death. Over the course of earthquakes, barbarian invasions and the abandonment of Rome in favor of Constantinople as the capital of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum fell into disuse. It was not until the 18th century that it was recognized as a place of importance for Christendom, in homage to the martyrs who perished there. The Colosseum is still an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and has been listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome.



In 217 AD August 23rd, the Colosseum was badly damaged by a major fire (caused by lightning, according to Dio Cassius) which destroyed the wooden upper levels of the amphitheatre's interior. It was not fully repaired until about 240 and underwent further repairs in 250 or 252 and again in 320. It happened the day of the VOLCANALIA ! Here is the historian's description:

The hunting theatre was struck by thunderbolts on the very day of the Vulcanalia, and such a blaze followed that its entire upper circuit and everything in the arena was consumed, and thereupon the rest of the structure was ravaged by the flames and reduced to ruins. Neither human aid could avail against the conflagration, though practically every aqueduct was emptied, nor could the downpour from the sky, which was most heavy and violent, accomplish anything — to such an extent was the water from both sources consumed by the power of the thunderbolts, and, in fact, actually contributed in a measure to the damage done. In consequence of this disaster the gladiatorial show was held in the stadium for many years.
Cassius Dio LXXIX, 25

Magnificent, rare and expensive coins have been issued in honor of this famous building:



As you can imagine, I can't afford a beauty like this. But since the ancient name of the Colosseum was the Flavian Amphitheatre, I can post some cheaper Flavian's coins. Please show me your Colosseum's or Flavian's coins !





Domitian As Rome
28mm 10.50g
CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS
Spes holding flower
RIC 724

 

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I have no coins depicting the Colosseum (big surprise, right?), but here's a photo I took when I was in Rome in July 2008. That's my son in the foreground.



And here's an antique map of "Modern Rome" (Mallet 1683), purchased when I was there, that depicts the Colosseum -- a bit less than halfway down, in the middle, labeled as "Colise" -- among other highlights.

 

I don't recall hearing of this event. No doubt it occurred either at the end of the time of Caracalla (perhaps reflecting the gods' displeasure) or the beginning of Macrinus' reign. Thanks for the write-up @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix!

Edit: Aha! As it was in August of 217 then Macrinus would have been in office. Should have caught that before, since Caracalla was murdered at Carrhae in April.

 

Only four years ago? Strange that I don't remember reading about it at the time.

 

Thanks for the write up @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix

per request:

 

Thanks for catching that Donna. But we did have a Caracalla-like figure in office in 2017, after all.

 

Some photos from my visit to Rome in 2014 and a good link for info on Colosseum..



http://www.the-colosseum.net/idx-en.htm

 

i'll donate pics of my 3 denarii of Titus, whom i believe was emperor when completed

 

I just remembered that I do actually also have two coins relevant to the Colosseum:

Titus (son of Vespasian) AR Denarius 80 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M / Rev. Elephant walking left, TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P. RIC II-1 Titus 115 (2007 ed.); RIC II 22a (1926 ed.); RSC II Titus 303; BMCRE 43; Sear RCV I 2512. 18 mm., 3.12 g. [This type is believed to have been issued in celebration of the opening of the Colosseum.]



Domitian (son of Vespasian), AE Quadrans [1/4 As] 84-85 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. African Rhinoceros with two horns advancing right with head down/ Rev IMP DOMIT AVG GERM (clockwise around starting at 1:00), S C across. RIC II-1 Domitian 249 (2007 ed.), Sear RCV II 2834, Cohen 673. (Legend starting at 1:00 rather than 7:00 is rarer variety, with only 4 examples at OCRE -- none at British Museum; see http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.2_1(2).dom.249 -- and 8 at acsearch.) 16.5 mm., 2.56 g. [Issued after Domitian’s assumption of Germanicus title in late 83 AD, but before the Consular date XI was added to his quadrantes in 85. It was possibly distributed as a token and/or souvenir to the crowds at the Colosseum, which Domitian completed in 82 by adding its uppermost story. See Martial’s Liber De Spectaculis (http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/martial_on_the_games_of_domitian_01_text.htm) re exhibition of rhinoceros at Colosseum, and re practice of distributing tokens to crowd. See also T.V. Buttrey, “Domitian, the Rhinoceros, and the Date of Martial's ‘Liber De Spectaculis,’" The Journal of Roman Studies Vol. 97 (2007), pp. 101-112, at https://www.jstor.org/stable/20430573?seq=1.]

 

One of my latest Flavians. Somebody needs to work for bread (and games)



Vespasian (69-79) AR Denarius, Rome, 77-78
IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG - Laureate head right
Rev: Pair of oxen under yoke left, In exergue, COS VIII.
C 133. BMC 206. RIC 943. CBN 184
Old RIC 107
2,67 g, 18 mm

 

Thanks for the great write up and coins, @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix . With all your great writeups, you deserve that Colosseum Aureus!

VESPASIAN

RI Vespasian 69-79 CE AR Quinarius Victory seated wreath palm RIC 802 R


TITUS


RI Titus 79-81 CE AR Denarius Ceres seated corn ear poppy torch


DOMITIAN


RI Domitian AR Denarius 81-96 CE Minerva spear shield COS XVI CENS PPP RIC 719

 

First time I've heard about this detail...It has been a good day today, I learned something new !

 

Here's my one Colosseum related coin. Description is from the CNG listing.


Titus. AD 79-81. AR Denarius (17.5mm, 3.29 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck 1 January-30 June AD 80. Laureate head right / Elephant, wearing armor, walking left on exergual line. RIC II.1 115; RSC 303.

The elephant on this particular issue represents one of the numerous species displayed in the newly constructed Flavian Amphitheater, better known today as the Colosseum, built by prisoners of the First Jewish War on the site of the Domus Aurea of Nero. Opened to the public during Titus’ rule, in AD 80, and commemorated by Martial in de Spectaculis, the Colosseum was welcomed with great fanfare and games. During the opening ceremonies a great number of animals, including elephants, were both exhibited and slaughtered.

 

One of my first interests in ancient coins.


Vespasian AE30 Dupondius, mint of Lugdunum.
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, 71 AD.
Rev: Roma seated holding victory, globe below neck of portrait.
Giard, Lyon, 30/1a, pl. XLI (same obv. die).
RIC 1145.



Domitian AE22. Cappadocia, Uncertain Flavian mint.



Domitian AR denarius, Rome Mint. 86 AD.
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TRP VIII, laureate head right.
Rev: IMP XIX COS XIIII CENS PPP, Minerva walking right, wielding a spear and holding shield on left arm.


Judaea, Askalon. Titus AE24
Obv: ΣEBAΣTOΣ, laureate head right.
Rev: AΣKAΛΩ, Tyche standing left on prow, holding standard and aphlaston, altar to left, dove standing left over ΔΠΡ (year 184) in right field.
RPC II 2209; BMC 117.
Dated AD 80-81.

 

My self-designed LEGO Colosseum:

 

A MASTERPIECE !

 

Nice read again, thanks! I own a Titus with elephant reverse denarius, but have posted that too many times already.

Thats awesome! You should join lego masters!

 

No C
olosseum coin sadly, But here is one of my favorite
Flavians - Roma in Amazonian guise



Vespasian Æ Dupondius. Rome, AD 71.

IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, radiate head right

ROMA, Roma seated left on cuirass set before a pair of shields, wearing helmet and drapery exposing right breast, holding wreath and parazonium; SC in exergue.


RIC 476; C. 411. 15.15g, 28mm, 6h

 

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Here's my sestertius, pre-fire and earthquakes and all of the other physical damage it has had to endure: