THE COLOSSEUM

AN OVERVIEW OF the colosseum history

Originally, the Colosseum was part of an extensive complex of structures serving a variety of purposes. As well as gladiatorial contests, it was used for a variety of other public events and performances. The Armamentarium, which stored weapons, was connected to several other buildings and structures (also via underground tunnels).

Around 72 CE, after Nero’s death and during the year of the three emperors, Vespasian (Titus Flavius Vespasian, who reigned from 1st July 69 CE to 24th June 79 CE) began the construction of the Colosseum. This massive building was constructed in only eight years. Under the reign of Vespasian’s son Emperor Titus, the Colosseum was inaugurated in 80 CE.

As a result of Titus’ legions’ conquest and sacking of Jerusalem in August and September of 70 CE, the Colosseum was probably funded with spoils.

The Flavian Amphitheatre (or Amphitheatrum Flavianum) was originally named after Vespasian’s new imperial dynasty, the Flavian Empire. Vespasian’s radical building intervention affected the entire area still occupied by Nero’s Golden House, as well as several buildings around the arena. Still exist some of the tunnels that connected these buildings.It took about twenty years to complete the complex until the end of Emperor Domitian’s reign, and the complex covered at least seven hectares.

Historically, the Colosseum was named after the Colossus of Nero, which was nearby. Accordingly, the name “Colosseum” comes from medieval times, when the Colossus probably was destroyed by an earthquake or the Sack of Rome in 410.

The Amphitheatre of Vespasian

A significant political decision was made by Vespasian by removing many of Nero‘s palace structures. He was, in effect, giving the area back to the people (as it had previously been a residential area) by constructing an amphitheater. Several channels were dug at a depth of 8 meters in order to drain underground water away from the site, a valley that had previously been filled with a lake.

Waste from public toilets at the Colosseum would be collected through these channels and sent to a sewer system around the building.Under the outer walls of the arena were a series of concentric concrete foundations ranging in depth from 13 meters to 4 meters.

After the Jewish War, which ended in 73 CE, as many as 100,000 prisoners may have been repurchased by Rome as slaves. The Colosseum was built by thousands of them under the supervision of hundreds of skilled stonemasons. 

Who designed and planned the Colosseum?

In Roman legend, Gaudentius, the architect of the Colosseum, was a Roman nobleman who became a Christian martyr when he was killed in the arena he designed near the end of Domitian‘s reign when Christians were allegedly being persecuted.

An erroneous interpretation of an inscription found in the Roman Forum church of Saints Luke and Martina may have led to the creation of this fantastic legend in the seventeenth century. It is usually clear from inscriptions and historical sources who commissioned and paid for Roman monuments, but the names of their architects and designers are rarely known, as they were regarded as less important than the unskilled workers.

The structure of the Colosseum

The dimensions :

Visiting the Colosseum and where to buy tickets

The Colosseum is an absolute must for any tourist visiting the Eternal City, but even many Romans who can find the time to rediscover this wonder of the ancient world should aspire to visit it. The ticket allows you access to the ground floor, the first floor, and part of the underground (hypogeum), as well as the partially reconstructed wooden arena floor.

colosseum skip the line tickets and guided tours – 2024