{"id":9560,"date":"2022-01-27T16:13:50","date_gmt":"2022-01-27T16:13:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/colosseum-rome\/"},"modified":"2024-09-11T12:57:04","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T12:57:04","slug":"colosseum-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/colosseum-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"The Colosseum in Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the guide!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f Note:<\/strong> The Colosseum’s popularity means long lines at the entrance, especially during peak season. It’s essential to book your visit in advance<\/strong>: Skip-the-line tickets<\/a><\/strong> or Guided tour<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table of Contents<\/strong>
A Brief History of the Colosseum
<\/a>Description of the Colosseum <\/a>
Visiting the Colosseum <\/a>
Practical Information<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Insider<\/strong> Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Top tip:<\/strong> Free guided city tour<\/a> (in English)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodations:<\/strong> all our tips recommendations <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan your stay:<\/strong> the complete guide to Rome<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Rome with children:<\/strong> all our tips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Brief History of the Colosseum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Construction of the Colosseum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His successors sought to erase Nero from Rome’s memory. The Domus Aurea was gradually dismantled to make way for new structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where Does the Name ‘Colosseum’ Come From? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During the construction of the Domus Aurea, Nero also erected a colossal statue of himself… yes, Nero was quite the egomaniac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the Domus Aurea was destroyed shortly after his death, the statue endured, albeit modified several times over the centuries. The head of Nero was successively replaced by those of various Roman emperors, and the statue was remodeled to represent Helios (or Apollo), the god of the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, the Colosseum gets its name not from its own impressive size, but from this colossal statue.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Games, Spectacles, and Entertainment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Panem et circenses<\/em>, (literally, “bread and games”) was the Roman strategy to win public favor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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