with its massive facade of superimposed arches, the colosseum seems to express in stone the grandiose dreams of all empire-builders. but it was a most functional building-- its gates numbered for ticket holders, its concentric vaulted corridors designed to funnel 50,000 spectators to their seats with maximum efficiency. built of stone, brick, and concrete, the colosseum's huge oval interior offered everroman an unobstructed vi of the slaughter in the arena below-- arena being the latin word for the sand that covered the wooden floor and absorbed the blood. today the colosseum impresses us more as an amazing feat of architecture than as a work of art, though it strongly influenced the design of both renaissance palaces and modern sports arenas. this thr-dimensional scale model depicts rome in the fourth century, virtually at the end of its spectular imperial building program. of all the great constructions throughout the empire, one stands above all others ashe crowning achievement of roman architecture-- the pantheon. fittingly, it is a work that expresses not the ugliness of our base

on a par with the colosseum or any painting.t should be protected by the state and the constitution guarantees that. >> the financial crisis in italy is forcing the government to slash funding for the arts. >> the government has to save billions in the next few years. theatres and opera houses are state funded. some had no choice but to cut performances or close down. >> this is one of rome's oldest theatres founded in 1727. the last official performance was in 2011. campaigners are raising money to keep this place open. the italian government spends billions on culture, most renovating ancient colosseum. >> they have to manage the administration more carefully so the tradition can survive for years. it is my duty above all to respect the profession of these people. it would be difficult to imagine a future where culture is not at the heart of things. >> in rome's opera house a performance of "swan lake", when the musicians went on strike, the orchestra was replaced with a cd track. the artists are back, and say the show must go

. - it's the colosseum. - and the more recent mining history.ty of cardiff is filled with ruins and museums, the streets here have the cosmopolitan feel of a big city with lots of modern architecture and sculptures. explore cardiff and head north into the wilds of the countryside in... both: travel with kids: wales. female announcer: this program is made possible by sears vacations, the official sponsor of family fun. plan your next family vacation at:

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>> translation: the opera is one of italy's prestageous cultural institutions on a par with the colosseumr painting. it should be protected by the state. our constitution guarantees that. >> the financial crisis in italy is forcing the government to slash funding for the arts. the government has to save billions of dollars in the next few years. theatres and opera houses are state funded. some have no choice but to cut performances or close down. >> this is one of rome's oldest theatres founded in 1727. the last official performance here was in 2011. campaigners are trying to raise money to keep this place open. the italian government spend more than a billion a year on culture. much of the money goes to restoring ancient sites like the collo si um. the minister of culture insists opera will survive the financial crisis. >> translation: they have to manage the administration more carefully so the tradition can survive for many years. it is my duty above all to respect the profession of these people. it would be difficult to imagine a future where culture is not at the heart of things. >>

looking to the ama super cross event going on at odotco colosseum all day long with the big race at 7:00, partly cloudy and 65 degrees. >>> well developing news in the ukraine, anti-government riots are spreading all across the country. crisis escalated this week when two activists were shot dead. the opposition says they were killed by riot police. the government denies that claim and accuses protesters of capturing two police officers. both people are angry over the governments decision to shun the european union forecloser ties to russia. >>> happening today, a small bomb goes off in cairo as egyptions mark the third anniversary of the up rising that toppled long time president's regime. no one was hurt in todays explosion but people are realing in the aftermath of four bombings yesterday that killed six, so despite attack supporters of the military- backed government and growing islamic insurgents were out protesting on the streets today. >>> starting today the san francisco zoo is going to great lengths to explain the dirty truth. it's called the scoop on poop. a new exhibit that