The Colosseum, symbol of the glory of the Eternal City, surpasses in size all the amphitheatres ever built in Rome. Work on its construction began in the early years of Vespasian's reign, and in 80 Titus gave orders for the inauguration of the amphitheatre. Alexander Severus and Decius restored it after fires in 217 and 250 respectively. The last alterations were undertaken by Theodoric, and after the 6th century the building was consigned to oblivion. Frequent earthquakes caused irreparable damage, and fragments of the building were eventually used as building material for new constructions.
Bread and spectacle!
The distribution of spectator seats in the stands was made in strict accordance with the social affiliation of the citizens. Accordingly, the lower the position, the higher the seat was placed. Rows closer to the arena were reserved for senators. The inner aisles allowed the huge crowd of spectators to move freely and occupy vacant seats. There are conflicting opinions about the number of spectators the Colosseum could hold, but the approximate figure is 50,000 seats.
Originally, the centre of the arena was covered with boards that could be removed if the performance required it. During the animal herding, to protect the spectators from predatory animals, a special stage was erected with a grid with elephant tusks sticking out of the top and rotating cylinders along its length to prevent the animals from clawing at the grid. In the basement under the arena was located the storage of everything that was necessary for the spectacle: cages with animals, decorations, warehouses of weapons for gladiators, machines, etc.
Interesting facts about the Colosseum
The official name of this grandiose structure is "Flavian Amphitheatre", as it was built during the reign of the Flavian emperors Vespasian and Titus. And the name "Colosseum" was given because of its neighbourhood with the Colossus of Nero - a huge bronze statue that stood in the unfinished imperial residence, the Golden House of Nero. The territory allotted for this palace was so large that after Nero's death and a fire, this place housed not only the Colosseum, but also Trajan's forum and thermae, the Basilica of Maxentius and the Arc de Triomphe of Titus.
If you look at the outer wall of the Colosseum, you will notice four tiers of columns, and the three lower tiers are arcades, and the upper tier is a solid wall. The lower tier is decorated with Doric order columns, the second tier is represented by Ionic order semi-columns, the third tier consists of Corinthian columns. The second and third tier were once decorated with statues. The upper part of the Colosseum is a solid wall decorated with Corinthian pilasters.
From the summer heat or torrential rain, spectators were sheltered by a huge sailcloth tent, which was stretched by two teams of sailors. By the way, these sailors participated in water battles, which were also organised in the Colosseum. Through a labyrinth of pipes, water came from underground springs and flooded the arena for about a metre, which allowed to arrange reconstructions of sea battles.
Besides sea battles and battles of gladiators, here were arranged battles with animals. According to the most modest estimates, at least 400 thousand people and a million different animals - tigers, lions, elephants, bears, hippos - died in the Colosseum arena.
Pope Benedict XIV in the mid-18th century set up a cross in the Colosseum to commemorate the thousands of Christian martyrs who died there for their faith. The cross was removed a century later, but returned to its original place in 1926.
The English chronicler Bede the Honourable in the 8th century said this about the Colosseum: "As long as the Colosseum stands, Rome will stand, but if the Colosseum falls, Rome will fall, and if Rome falls, the whole world will fall!". Today the Colosseum is the symbol of Rome, one of the most popular sights of the city.
On a side note
- Location: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, Roma.
- Nearest metro station: "Colosseo".
- Official website: http://www.the-colosseum.net/
- Opening hours: from April to September - from 9.00 to 18.00, from October to March - from 9.00 to 16.00. The box office closes one hour earlier. Non-working days: 1 January, 25 December.
- Tickets: adults - 12 euros, children under 18 - free of charge.
