The Colosseum in Rome

Nearly 2,000 years old, the Colosseum is undoubtedly one of Rome’s most iconic and must-see monuments. With over 7 million visitors per year, it stands alongside the Vatican as one of the most visited tourist sites in the Italian capital.

Follow the guide!

⚠️ Note: The Colosseum’s popularity means long lines at the entrance, especially during peak season. It’s essential to book your visit in advance: Skip-the-line tickets or Guided tour.

Table of Contents
A Brief History of the Colosseum
Description of the Colosseum
Visiting the Colosseum
Practical Information

A Brief History of the Colosseum

The Construction of the Colosseum

In 64 AD, Emperor Nero constructed a colossal palace in the heart of Rome: the Domus Aurea. Among its grandiose features was an artificial lake!

However, a few years into the project, Nero fell out of favor. Disgraced by the Senate, he faced execution under horrendous circumstances. To escape his fate, Nero committed suicide in 68 AD.

His successors sought to erase Nero from Rome’s memory. The Domus Aurea was gradually dismantled to make way for new structures.

Between 70 and 72 AD, Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty drained Nero’s artificial lake to build a massive amphitheater. The construction was completed in 80 AD under his son Titus, and later expanded by his grandson Domitian.

Surprisingly, the immense amphitheater was not originally known as the Colosseum but was called the “Flavian Amphitheater.” This is still how specialists in ancient Rome refer to it.

Games, Spectacles, and Entertainment

Panem et circenses, (literally, “bread and games”) was the Roman strategy to win public favor.

And in the realm of bread and games, the Colosseum reigned supreme! In use for nearly 500 years, from the 1^st to the 6^th century AD, the amphitheater hosted countless games and entertainments. Romans flocked to watch:

• Wild animal hunts and battles
• Gladiator fights
• Reenactments of famous battles, including naval battles (the Colosseum was then flooded)
• Pastoral recreations (trees were planted in the arena sand to recreate pastoral scenes)
• Public executions

The games could be exceptionally grand, like the festivities organized by Emperor Trajan in the early 2^nd century AD, mobilizing 11,000 animals and 10,000 gladiators over 123 days!

The Colosseum After the Roman Empire

The Colosseum ceased to be used for games and entertainments in the 6^th century AD.

Over the following centuries, it suffered from numerous earthquakes and was repurposed as housing, workshops, a fortress, a cemetery, and a Catholic sanctuary.

Its stones were also reused in other constructions, contributing to its current state. Travertine blocks from the Colosseum can be found in Palazzo Venezia and St. Peter’s Basilica!

Restoration projects began in the 19^th century, notably during Napoleon’s occupation of Rome. Since 1995, a major restoration project aims to preserve the Colosseum and open more of it to the public.

Today, the Colosseum is, along with the Vatican, the most visited tourist site in Rome. Be sure to book your tickets or guided tour in advance to ensure you don’t miss this iconic monument!

Description of the Colosseum

⚠️ Reminder! Be sure to book your visit in advance: Skip-the-line tickets or Guided tour.

Located east of the Roman Forum, the Colosseum is an oval-shaped structure primarily built of travertine, tuff, and concrete bricks.

Measuring 187.75 meters long, 155.60 meters wide, and 50.75 meters high, the Flavian Amphitheater could accommodate up to 50,000 spectators —remarkable for its time!

Partly in ruins, the Colosseum remains wonderfully well-preserved for its nearly 2,000-year age!

The Exterior of the Colosseum

While much of the outer wall is destroyed, the north side remains intact, allowing us to imagine what the Colosseum looked like in antiquity.

The exterior wall had three tiers of 80 arches each, topped by an attic—a solid wall with small windows.

The inner wall, visible where the outer wall has collapsed, is simpler, with two tiers of arches topped by a solid section.

During antiquity, the entire Colosseum was likely painted (as were many ancient monuments)… hard to imagine, isn’t it?

The Stands (Cavea)

Inside, the stands are arranged in rows. The lower rows are at a 30° angle, and the upper rows at a 40° angle, allowing spectators at the top to have a clear view of the arena.

In antiquity, seating was highly hierarchical, reflecting Roman society. The lower seats near the arena were for prestigious spectators (senators, knights). In contrast, the top rows were for women and plebeians (the least wealthy citizens).

Inscriptions on the stands indicated which category of Romans each row was reserved for. Some seats even had the name of the senator they were assigned to.

For clarity, the stands were divided into sections and rows with numbered seats… those Romans were organized!

The Arena

The oval arena is 3 meters below the stands. Measuring 83 meters long and 48 meters wide, it originally had a wooden floor (now gone) covered with sand.

The Hypogeum (Underground)

Beneath the arena, the hypogeum was a complex system of underground tunnels, serving as the backstage of modern theaters.

In antiquity, it stored equipment and sets and housed the animals and gladiators participating in the games.

It had numerous trapdoors equipped with elevators, winches, and pulleys to lift sets, animals, and gladiators onto the arena.

Underground tunnels connected the hypogeum to the outside of the Colosseum, allowing animals and gladiators to enter directly from stables and barracks, and the emperor to reach his box in the stands incognito.

The hypogeum was remodeled several times during the centuries the Colosseum was in use, giving it a somewhat labyrinthine appearance.

The Velum/Velarium

Now gone, the velum (or velarium) was a huge canvas stretched over the Colosseum to protect spectators from the sun and weather. It could be adjusted with a clever system controlled by sailors aided by slaves.

Few traces of the velum remain today, and archaeologists know little about it.

Visiting the Colosseum

⚠️ Note! The Colosseum is one of Rome’s most iconic tourist sites and draws many visitors. To avoid wasting time in line, be sure to book your tickets in advance:
Tickets for the Colosseum (+ Roman Forum).

For your information, entry to the Colosseum is also included in the Roma Pass.

If you love historical anecdotes or don’t want to miss anything, Captain Ulysses highly recommends a guided tour. Guided tours are particularly enriching for ancient sites where it can be hard to envision the past without expert insights.
Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill (available in several languages)

Practical Information

The Colosseum is located on Piazza del Colosseo, close to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The nearest metro station is Colosseo (Line B).

The Colosseum is open daily. Hours vary by season:

Last entry is one hour before closing.

Skip the lines: book your tickets and tours in Rome!

Credits
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