The Colosseo or Colosseum, from its original name of Flavian Amphitheatre, was built by three emperors of the Flavian dynasty, Vespasian and his two sons Titius and Domitian, to win over the population. Vespasian (69 – 79), its founder, was not of noble extraction. The military exploits of this simple son of a publican enabled him to accede to power after Nero’s suicide. The tyrant’s expropriations and other misdeeds had exasperated the plebs, who were pleased to see the new ruler drain the Doma Aurea lake and erect a public showplace in its place.
Probably built with the spoils from the Temple of Jerusalem looted in 70, the Colosseum was inaugurated in 80 by Titus, Vespasian’s son, with festivities that are said to have lasted a hundred days. Domitian completed its decoration in 82. The amphitheatre is 189 m long, 156 m wide and 48 m high, forming an ellipse 527 m in circumference. It required no less than 100,000 m3 of travertine quarried near Tivoli and transported to Rome via a specially-laid road. Some 300 tons of iron hooks were also used to hold the slabs together.
At the time, it was the largest amphitheatre in the Roman world. Its current name was given in the early Middle Ages, popularly due to its colossal size. Historians, however, believe it was so named because of its proximity to Nero’s bronze colossus (35 m), the base of which can still be seen between the Colosseum and the Temple of Venus. Nero was depicted as a sun god, wearing a halo of golden rays. This statue remained in place until the Middle Ages, when it was melted down.
The amphitheatre’s hemicyclic façade is composed of three superimposed galleries adorned with three orders of columns (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian), to which is added a fourth blind level. The cornice on top of the fourth level is pierced by 240 projecting stone corbels, each with a hole in it, which were used to secure the wooden posts supporting the velarium. This immense canvas, designed to protect spectators from the sun and bad weather, was hoisted by sailors from the imperial fleet.
It is estimated that the amphitheatre could accommodate between 45,000 and 80,000 people. There were three categories of seating (ima, the lowest, media, in the middle, and summa, the highest). In addition, there was a balcony where members of the lower classes – slaves, women and the poor – attended the show standing up. Within each category, the type of seat also depended on social status. The imperial family and the vestals enjoyed special boxes, while the senators, dressed in their white toga with red trim, sat in the orchestra. The equites (knights) occupied the middle tiers, and the plebs (ordinary citizens) the upper ones.
Special sections were also reserved for various professions such as soldiers, scribes or students, as well as for foreign dignitaries. To reach the stands, spectators entered the building via the 80 vaulted entrances (vomitaria). The Colosseum could be emptied in ten minutes, but often in a great rush.
Horse-drawn carriage in front of the Colosseum, for a horseback ride through Rome
In Piazza del Colosseo, where many street vendors have set up shop
“ As long as the Colosseum lasts, Rome will last; when the Colosseum falls, Rome will fall, and with Rome, the world. ”
The arena floor was made of wood and covered with sand to absorb the gladiators’ blood. Now that the floor has disappeared, we can see the infrastructure of corridors and galleries that allowed privileged access to important figures to avoid crowds and the routing of wild beasts and fighters. Caged animals were carried up to the runway by ramps or elevators powered by pulleys.
The festivities, which sometimes lasted three or four months, featured thousands of animals, most of them imported from Africa: in addition to the wild beasts familiar from the peplums, there were all kinds of species (hyenas, elephants, hippos, wild horses, elands, giraffes, zebras). The program was divided into several parts: hunts (venationes) in the morning, public executions at midday and gladiatorial combats in the afternoon.
A tunnel connected the underside of the arena to the Ludus Magnus, the gladiator training center located between the Colosseum and San Clemente. These men – chosen from slaves, criminals, political agitators, followers of forbidden sects, Christians or prisoners of war – fell into several categories. Some, like the mirmillions, fought heavily armed with a sword and shield, others with a simple dagger and arm protection. Finally, the retiaires used a net and a trident (depicted on the mosaics in the Borghese Gallery).
During the preliminary parade, everyone intoned the phrase "Ave Caesar, morituri te salutant" ("Ave César, those who are about to die salute you"). Those who survived received the reward offered to the victors, but victory did not mean the end of their career. Only those who received the laurel wreath could retire permanently.
Cultured Romans didn’t appreciate all this entertainment, and in the 2nd century, the poet Juvenal accused the people of Rome of selling themselves for "bread and games" ("panem et circenses") in his satires.
The rise of Christianity led to the decline of the circus games and, with it, the gradual abandonment of the Colosseum. Gladiatorial combat was banned at the beginning of the 5th century, while hunting continued until the 6th century.
After the fall of Rome, the Colosseum served multiple functions. In the Middle Ages, it was appropriated by the Frangipane family, but a strong earthquake destroyed its southern section in 1349. From the mid-14th to the 18th century, its marble and travertine blocks were shamelessly plundered to build buildings such as Palazzo Venezia and the new St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Benedict XIV (1740 – 1758) put an end to this depredation by consecrating the building, the presumed site of the martyrdom of many Christians. Today, however, many historians refute this theory. Goethe visited the Colosseum in 1787 and found it in a very poor state. Beggars and a hermit lived there. In the 19th century, the Pope made the monument the starting point for the Good Friday Way of the Cross.
In the 1930s, Mussolini wanted to restore the glory of the Roman Empire and had a row of buildings knocked down so that it could be seen from the Palazzo Venezia, where he resided. Today, a vast restoration program, initiated on the occasion of the 2000 jubilee, has already made it possible to host shows and exhibitions.
Santa Francesca Romana church seen from the 1st floor of the Colosseum
4 March 2017
With its heritage, its mild and sunny climate, Rome attracts millions of travelers every year. Rome, a city that has long dominated the “civilized world”, contains a thousand and one testimonies of its very rich past. Download our French guide to Rome in PDF!
11 June 2016
The Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) is both the heart of Rome’s main shopping district and a fashion stronghold. The fabulous Donna sotto le Stelle (under the stars) haute couture show held every July on the steps of the scalatina symbolizes this vocation.
15 August 2016
Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in the world
Considered to be one of the most beautiful squares in the world, the Piazza Navona gives you an insight into 2,000 years of Roman history. This open-air lounge is the perfect place to relax over a drink, lulled by the sound of the fountains and the comings and goings of strollers.
