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As one of the Rome's most popular landmarks of Rome , both ancient and contemporary, the Colosseum is visited by millions of visitors each year. A 2014 Travel and Leisure magazine article reported, in fact, that more than 5 million tourists traversed the intricate vaults of the Colosseum that year <ref> "The World's Most-visited Tourist Attractions"<i>Travel and Leisure Magazine.</i> 10 November 2014.</ref>. When it was first built, though, the famous amphitheater held a different name, one that served as a reminder of the man who built it. Interestingly, the name it now holds is connected to another, a more fiendish man that Rome wanted to forget.

====Background====When the Roman Emperor Nero took power in October 54 CE, one could have assumed greatness would ensue as he was a descendent from the Julio-Claudian family line, a lineage that traced back to Julius Caesar. The result of Nero's rule, however, was far from rosy. From the murder of his mother in 59 BCE to his growing conflicts with the Roman Senate in the years following, Nero's control of Rome was rather tumultuous <ref> Barrett, Anthony A., "Nero."<i>The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece and Rome.</i> (Oxford University Press, 2010)</ref>

These tensions came ====Vespasian and Flavian Favoritism====[[File: 1-rome-colossus-of-nero-granger.jpg |thumbnail|left|300px| Nineteenth-century engraving of the Colosseum with the Colossus, from reverse, at right]]Soon after his brilliant new home was built, Nero was condemned to a head in July 64 CEdeath, when a raging fire broke out and burned across the city of Rome for almost a weekdoomed ruler committed suicide on 9 June 68 CE. <ref> Dando-CollinsSuetonius, Stephen. <i>The Great Fire Lives of Romethe Twelve Ceasars</i> (Da Capo PressLoeb Classical Library, 20101914), p. 179)</ref> While interpretations In his stead, Emperor Vespasian had taken control of how Nero responded Rome one year prior (July 69 CE). His task was to reassure Rome's citizens that imperial rule was reliable and just. As part of this reassurance, and to win favor with the blaze and its aftermath varyRomans, it is clear thatVespasian embarked on constructing a massive entertainment amphitheater, a wish of Roman citizens for many years.  Construction on the complex began in 72 CE, with Vespasian selecting a location at the midst juncture of the citythree of Rome's recovery Nero was tasked with rebuilding substantial portions of hills: the Palatine, the Esquiline, and the cityCaelian. In Conveniently, to facilitate this projectlocation, Vespasian requested the demolition of much of Nero planned a massive new palace complex for himself. Know as the 's <i>Domus Aurea</i>such that his theater would quite literally rest on the ruins of Nero's reign.  The amphitheater was a massive project and was designed to seat over 55, or "Golden House," 000 people. The amphitheater's construction was funded with the spoils seized from the fantastically decorated palace stretched across Jewish Temple after Roman crushed the heart Jewish Revolt of 70 AD. Stolen Jewish artifacts not only funded the Roman Forum. Including lavish reflecting ponds and a monumental bronze sculpture building of the god Sol that stood just outside its main entranceColosseum, but Jewish slaves seized during the revolt built the building.<iref>Domus Aurea"[http://wwW.tribunesandtriumphs.org/colosseum/building-the-colosseum.htm| Building the Colosseum]," www.tribunesandtriumphs.org</iref> irked many Romans as it consumed a significant amount of land that was previously used for the citizens.

===Vespasian and Flavian Favoritism=A Lingering Colossus====[[File: 1-rome-colossus-of-nero-granger.jpg |thumbnail|left|300px| Nineteenth-century engraving of Work progressed on the Colosseum with amphitheater for the Colossus, from reverse, at right]]Soon after his brilliant new home was builtfollowing eight years and thus stretched across several Vespasian's successors, Nero was condemned known to death, and history as the doomed ruler committed suicide on 9 June 68 CEFlavian dynasty. <ref> Suetonius,<i>The Lives Because of the Twelve Ceasars</i> (Loeb Classical Library, 1914), p. 179)</ref>. In his steadsharing of this project, the Emperor Vespasian had taken control amphitheater took the name of Rome one year prior (July 69 CE)the "Flavian Amphitheater, " and his task was to reassure the citizens of Rome that imperial rule was not only reliable but also justreceived its debut joyously. As part With a capacity for tens of thousands of this reassurance, audience members and novel features that allow for feats as fantastic as mock naval battles in an effort to win favor with the Romansmain arena, Vespasian embarked on the construction of a massive entertainment amphitheater, became a wish of hub for Roman citizens for many years. Construction on the complex began in 72 CE, with Vespasian selecting a location at the juncture of three of Rome's hills: the Palatine, the Esquiline, and the Caelian. Conveniently, to facilitate this location, Vespasian requested the demolition of much of Nero's <i>Domus Aurea</i> such that his theater would quite literally rest on the ruins of Nero's reignentertainment.

===A Lingering Colossus===Work progressed on While Vespasian and his successors received the amphitheater Romans' favor for the following eight years and thus stretched across several this monumental contribution, a lasting remnant of VespasianNero's successors, known disastrous rule still stood close by. That colossal sculpture of Sol had been preserved by Vespasian and moved closer to history as the Flavian dynastyAmphitheater's main entrance. It is because of the sharing of As time passed, this project that prominent Colossus became so inextricably connected to the amphitheater took that the name of the "Flavian Amphitheater,Colosseum" and the citizens of Rome received its debut joyously. With a capacity for tens of thousands of audience members and novel features that allows for feats as fantastical as mock naval battles in the main arena, the amphitheater became a hub for Roman entertainmentcame into common parlance soon after.

While Vespasian and his successors received So, while the efforts to manifest the impressive amphitheater were the favor work of the Romans for this monumental contributionFlavian emperors, in some regards, a lasting remnant of one could suggest that Nero's disastrous rule still stood close bylegacy also lives on with this connection to his Colossus. This massive statue, though, has long since disappeared. That colossal sculpture of Sol had been preserved by Vespasian and moved closer Last mentioned in an illuminated manuscript from the fourth century CE, it is unclear what happened to the main entrance Sol sculpture. <ref> <i>Calendar of the Flavian Amphitheater354</i> http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/index. As time passed, this prominent Colossus became so inextricably connected htm#Chronography_of_354</ref> It was most likely destroyed or melted down; its pedestal adjacent to the amphitheater that soon after the name of "Colosseum" came into common parlance, however, still stands today.

So, while the efforts to manifest the impressive amphitheater was the work of the Flavian emperors, it some regards one could suggest that the legacy of Nero also lives on with this connection to his Colossus. This massive statue, though, has long since disappeared. Last mentioned in an illuminated manuscript from the fourth century CE, it is unclear what happened to the Sol sculpture. <ref> <i>Calendar of 354</iyoutube> httphttps://www.tertullianyoutube.org/fatherscom/index.htm#Chronography_of_354watch?v=fbhuqovrrak</refyoutube>. It was most likely destroyed or melted down; its pedestal adjacent to the Colosseum, however, still stands today.

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