colosseum >Italy<
History of the name Colosseum
The Colosseum's name has long been believed to be derived from a colossus (a 130-foot or 40-metre statue) of Nero nearby.[1] This statue was later remodeled by Nero's successors into the likeness of Sol or Apollo, the sun god, by adding the appropriate solar crown. Nero's head was also replaced several times by the head of succeeding emperors. At some time during the Middle Ages, the statue disappeared; experts suspect that, since the statue was bronze, it was melted down for reuse. Evidence of its base may still be found between the Colosseum and the nearby Temple of Roma and Venus.
After the colossus' disposal, the link to it seems to have been forgotten over time, and the name was corrupted to Coliseum during the Middle Ages. Both names are frequently used in modern English, but Flavian Amphitheatre is generally unknown. In Italy, it is still known as il colosseo, and other Romance languages have come to use similar forms such as le colisée, el coliseo and el colise.
The Venerable Bede (c. 672–735) wrote:[2]
Quandiu stabit coliseus, stabit et Roma
"As long as the Colosseum stands, so shall Rome;"
Quando cadit coliseus, cadet et Roma
"When the Colosseum falls, so shall Rome;"
Quando cadet Roma, cadet et mundus
"When Rome falls, so shall the world."
Note the use of coliseus, a masculine noun. This form is no longer in use.
posted by darkshadow @ 3:24 AM
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