Colosseum

Location: Piazza del Colosseo, the center of Rome
How to reach the Colosseum: take the Underground and get off at the "Colosseum" station
Date of construction: from 72 to 80 A.D.
Emperor: Vespasiano
Kind of building: Amphitheater
Main utilization: Gladiator fights and entertainment

History on the colosseum

The Colosseum is probably the most acclaimed heritage of the Roman Emperor.The Colosseum is the World's largest Roman amphitheater and it is located in the heart of Rome.

The Colosseum was built between 72 and 80 A.D and over the years it has been used for several purposes. In the beginning they used the Colosseum for some standard shows. One of them was the gladiator fight, but after, in the centuries, it has been used also as a gravel pit.

The amphitheater is an ellipse with a diameter of 527m, it can accommodate 50,000 guests, and its axis measure 187.5 by 156.5 m. The Colosseum is known as one of the "Seven wonders of the world" and it has also been added on the list of the world heritage sites by UNESCU in 1980.

Construction

The Colosseum has been under construction on orders of the emperor Vespasiano. The construction began in the 72 A.D. It was financed, like other buildings of the same period, using the war chest of the "Jerusalem Conquest". The Colosseum was built symbolically. Before the Colosseum there was a "Tyrant Nerone" construction: an artificial lake used by Nerone.

After the construction of the colosseum ended, multiple emperors modified it, adding decorations, seats, cellars, etc.

Survival of the Colosseum in Rome
During its existence, the Colosseum has been object of several restorations since it has been severely damaged, in particular after some natural events like earthquakes and lightning. Recently, because of some structural damage, support has been build so people can keep visiting this majestic, wonder of the world!

The Colosseum ground consisted of wood covered with sand. After a gladiator spectacle the sand would be swept away as it contained the blood of all the fallen gladiators and animals. Beneath the arena there were corridors that hosted the animals, machines and some "training-grounds" for the gladiators. For people who will be visiting the Colosseum, you can see a reproduction of the III or IV centuries.

There were several entrances for the main show characters, they could get into the amphitheater from the two main entrances. The Colosseum staff, had to use the service entrance or the underground corridors.

Games

The Colosseum activity had large variety of games called also "Amphitheater Games". The most frequent were the condemned executions, animal fights and the gladiator fights.
At the arena inauguration, there were games for three month consecutive, to celebrate the Traiano triumph on the Daci. These games brought death to 9.000 animals and 2.000 gladiators.

The testimonies on the last fights between gladiators are from 437 AD, but the fights with animals went on until 523 AD.

How to reach the Colosseum

The Colosseum is within easy reach using the Rome Underground, the nearest station is "Colosseo".

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