Colosseum

History & Dynasty

Which emperor built the Colosseum?

Construction of this colossal monument began in A.D. 72 under the direction of Emperor Vespasian, founder of the Flavian dynasty. His son and successor, Emperor Titus, presided over its official inauguration in A.D. 80 during memorable games that lasted one hundred days, before Domitian made the final structural modifications.

The History of Its Construction

Built on the site of the former artificial lake of Nero’s sumptuous Domus Aurea, the project held major political significance for Vespasian: to restore to the Roman people a space that had been monopolized by a tyrannical emperor. Originally named the Flavian Amphitheater (Amphitheatrum Flavium), the monument took on the name “Colosseum” much later, during the Middle Ages, in reference to the colossal bronze statue of Nero (the Colossus) that stood in the immediate vicinity of the building.

From a structural standpoint, the arena measured 282 feet by 177 feet, surrounded by a 13.8-foot wall to protect spectators from wild beasts. The amphitheater itself forms a giant ellipse 617 feet long by 512 feet wide, originally reaching a height of 171 feet. Building this massive structure of travertine, brick, and tuff required exceptional technical expertise, mobilizing tens of thousands of slaves and craftspeople to complete what remains the largest amphitheater in the Roman world.

Games & Battles

How many gladiators died in the Colosseum?

The Colosseum was designed to host spectacles on an unprecedented scale, ranging from the famous gladiatorial combats (munera) to wild animal hunts (venationes) and simulated naval battles (naumachiae). These cruel and highly regimented games attracted as many as 50,000 to 75,000 spectators eager for entertainment.

The Course of the Games

Although it is difficult to provide a figure with absolute historical accuracy, historians estimate that nearly 400,000 people—the vast majority of whom were gladiators, slaves, and those condemned to death—perished in the arena over the course of its five centuries of operation. At the same time, it is estimated that approximately one million wild animals imported from the far reaches of the Empire (lions, hippopotamuses, bears, leopards) also met their deaths there, a testament to the logistical excess of these state spectacles.

Show days followed an unchanging ritual. The morning was devoted to animal hunts and reenactments of natural landscapes. Noon gave way to public executions of those condemned to death. Finally, the afternoon culminated in the most eagerly awaited event: gladiatorial combat. Contrary to popular belief, gladiators were not systematically put to death; as highly skilled professionals, they represented a major financial investment for their owners, and the fights were officiated according to very strict rules.

Engineering & Behind the Scenes

The Secrets of the Hypogeum and the Velum

The Colosseum was not merely an aesthetic feat, it was an entertainment machine of absolute technical complexity for its time. Beneath the wooden floor of the arena, covered with sand to absorb the blood, lay the Hypogeum, a vast network of underground galleries on two levels that housed the backstage areas of the games.

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This hypogeum contained cages for wild animals, tunnels connected directly to the gladiator barracks (such as the Ludus Magnus), and a complex system of hoists operated by capstans. Thanks to these ancient lifts, wild beasts and theatrical sets could appear instantly in the centre of the arena through invisible trapdoors, creating a striking element of surprise for the audience.

The comfort of the spectators was also ensured by a major innovation: the Velum (or velarium). This gigantic linen or sailcloth awning, manoeuvred from the top of the monument by a detachment of elite sailors from the Misenum military fleet, shaded the stands and protected the crowd from the scorching Roman sun or bad weather, transforming the amphitheatre into a fully regulated space.

Heritage & Ruins

Why is the Colosseum half-ruined?

The asymmetrical silhouette, partially gutted, of the Colosseum intrigues and fascinates visitors from all over the world. Its current state of ruin is not the result of a single dramatic event, but the direct consequence of the ravages of time, major natural disasters and human activity throughout the ages.

The History of its Deterioration

Following the ban on games in the 6th century, the Colosseum suffered several violent earthquakes, notably those of 847 and 1349, which caused the collapse of its spectacular southern exterior façade. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the monument was abandoned and turned into a veritable open-air stone quarry. Its travertine blocks and precious marbles were plundered to construct major Roman buildings, such as Palazzo Venezia and St Peter’s Basilica, before Pope Benedict XIV protected it in the 18th century by declaring it a holy site.

Today, the absence of the metal clamps (made of iron or bronze) that once held the stone blocks together leaves thousands of distinctive holes in the façade; these were torn out in the Middle Ages to be melted down. The consolidation work carried out from the 19th century onwards by Popes Pius VII and Leo XII helped to stabilise the remaining structures with large brick buttresses, preserving the iconic silhouette that we admire today.

Symbolism & Significance

What is the significance of the Colosseum?

Beyond its role as a venue for public entertainment, the Colosseum held highly political and social significance for the imperial authorities. It embodied Rome’s absolute power and its ability to subdue nature and rebellious peoples, whilst serving as a monumental showcase of the social hierarchy of the time.

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Each social class occupied a strictly defined place in the stands (cavea), from the senators seated closest to the arena on marble seats, to the women and the poor, who were relegated to the very top of the structure on wooden benches. The Colosseum embodied the famous adage ‘Panem et circenses’ (bread and circuses), an indispensable tool of social control designed to win the people’s enthusiasm and divert their attention from the city’s political affairs.

Today, listed amongst the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its significance has changed radically: it has become the universal symbol of the preservation of ancient heritage and an international monument against the death penalty. Indeed, whenever a death sentence is commuted or a country abolishes capital punishment anywhere in the world, the Colosseum sheds its usual golden lighting to be bathed in a symbolic multicoloured glow.

Cinema & Pop Culture

The legendary arena at the heart of the Seventh Art

The Colosseum has left a profound mark on the cultural imagination worldwide, establishing itself as the ultimate setting for the peplum film genre and historical films. Its striking silhouette and the dramatic nature of the battles that took place there have inspired generations of international filmmakers and artists.

The monument on screen

Hollywood classics such as Ben-Hur (1959) and Spartacus (1960) laid the visual foundations for the Roman arena, but it is undoubtedly Ridley Scott’s masterpiece, Gladiator (2000), that brought the Colosseum into the modern era of cinema. Although the production team reconstructed part of the arena in Malta and used digital effects to recreate the splendour of 2nd-century Rome, the film sparked an unprecedented global surge in tourist interest in the actual historic monument.

This cultural ubiquity transforms the actual visit into a powerful emotional experience for travellers, who instantly superimpose the striking images from the big screen onto the millennia-old stone passageways. The visit thus demystifies cinema whilst revealing the exceptional technical and human reality of this extraordinary building.

Visitor Tips

How should you plan your visit to the monument?

To make the most of your visit to the Colosseum, careful planning is essential. The monument attracts thousands of visitors every day, making ticket management and timetables a key factor in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience at the heart of the archaeological park.

Our practical advice

You must book your personalised tickets in advance online, as no physical ticket office sells tickets on site. The standard ticket also includes access to the ruins of the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, located right next door, and is valid for 24 hours. For a truly immersive experience, we recommend opting for a ticket that includes full access to the arena or a guided tour of the Hypogeum underground passages.

The security checks at the entrance are similar to those at an airport: large rucksacks, suitcases and sharp or glass objects are strictly prohibited. Remember to bring a reusable water bottle, which you can fill for free at the drinking fountains located throughout the monument, and try to visit in the morning to avoid the summer heat and the midday crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you go

How far is the 9Hotel Cesàri from the Colosseum?

The 9Hotel Cesàri is situated about 1.5 kilometres from the Colosseum. You can get there in just 20 minutes on foot via a splendid route that runs alongside the Roman Forum.

Are there any toilets in the Colosseum?

Yes, free toilet facilities are available to visitors inside the monument. They are mainly located on the ground floor (first level) near the entrance and the ticket office, as well as on the upper floor.

Is there a dress code to follow at the Colosseum?

Unlike the religious buildings in Vatican City, the Colosseum does not have a strict dress code. Casual attire is acceptable, but we strongly advise you to wear comfortable walking shoes to navigate the uneven cobblestones and steep steps of the monument.