Colosseo

Experience Rome in a unique way with a tour of the Colosseum and the historic center by bike, Vespa, scooter, or tuk-tuk is a unique experience that allows you to explore the wonders of the Eternal City, from Piazza Venezia to the Trevi Fountain to the Colosseum, with the freedom and comfort of a tailor-made tour, you will admire unique sights with the guarantee of a relaxing and fun experience.

What you need to know about the Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater).

The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, is one of the most famous and iconic monuments in Rome and all of Italy.

The Colosseum was built by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty. Construction work began around 70-72 AD. Vespasian wanted to erect the Colosseum as a symbol of Rome’s power and greatness, as well as a gift to the Roman people.

The Colosseum was completed under the reign of his son, Emperor Titus, in80 CE. Titus inaugurated the amphitheater with a series of performances that lasted about 100 days, during which games and gladiator fights were organized.

Later, Emperor Domitian, another member of the Flavian dynasty, also made some changes and additions to the structure, including the construction of dungeons (thehypogeum), used to house wild animals and to prepare gladiators before shows.

Here are some interesting facts about the Colosseum:

Function: It was used for gladiator shows, animal hunts, public executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and theatrical performances based on classical mythology.
Capacity: It could accommodate between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators.
Design: The Colosseum is a masterpiece of Roman engineering, built primarily of concrete and stone. It features a complex system of vaults and arches that made it possible to build such a large, self-contained structure.
Damage: Over time, the Colosseum has been damaged by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, and by the actions of stone thieves who have stolen materials for other constructions.
Symbol: Today it is considered a symbol of ancient Roman architecture and engineering, as well as a reminder of the cultural and social practices of the Roman Empire.

The Colosseum has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Today it is a major tourist attraction, visited by millions of people every year.

Gladiatorial shows and more at the Colosseum

Here are some of the main types of performances that took place in the amphitheater:

Munera (Gladiator fights)

Gladiatorial fights were the main attraction. These combatants, often slaves, prisoners of war, or criminals, competed in duels to the death, armed with different types of weapons and equipment. Gladiators could be men or, on rare occasions, women. Fights could end in death, but sometimes the audience or the emperor decided to spare the life of the defeated gladiator.

Venationes (Animal Hunts)

These spectacles included hunting or fighting with exotic wild animals, such as lions, elephants, bears, tigers, and crocodiles, imported from various parts of the Roman Empire. The animals were captured, transported to Rome and then released into the arena to be hunted or killed by gladiators or venatores (professional hunters).

Naumachiae (Naval Battles)

On special occasions, the Colosseum arena could be flooded to simulate naval battles. Boats were built and, in a kind of water theater, naval clashes between fleets would take place, reenacting famous battles from Roman history. These events, though rare, were among the most spectacular and technically challenging.

Damnatio ad bestias (Death sentences through animals)

A particularly cruel form of public execution was one in which the condemned, often criminals, rebels, or prisoners of war, were displayed in the arena and left at the mercy of vicious animals. It was a way to intimidate the public and demonstrate the power of Roman authority.

Reenactments of historical battles

In addition to naval battles, reenactments of famous battles in Rome’s history were also organized. Costumed soldiers portrayed historical episodes, such as famous wars and victories of the Roman army. This type of performance served to celebrate the military glories of the empire.

Mythological and theatrical representations

Performances of myths and legends of antiquity were staged, often with an emphasis on the spectacular and violent element. These performances could include the use of actors and gladiators to re-enact mythological scenes, sometimes with fatal outcomes for those participating.

Ludi (Public games)

In addition to combat and hunting shows, the Colosseum also hosted public games (ludi), which could include racing, acrobatics, and other forms of entertainment for the Roman people.

The spectacles were an important part of Roman social and political life, serving to entertain the populace and consolidate the power of the emperor, who often financed the games to gain favor with the people.

Curiosities about the Colosseum

The Colosseum is full of curiosities and anecdotes that make it even more fascinating. Here are some of the most interesting ones:

Original name

The Colosseum’s original name was Flavian Amphitheater, named after the Flavian dynasty of emperors (Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian) who financed its construction. The name “Colosseum” probably comes from the colossal statue of Nero, which stood nearby and was later adapted to represent the Sun god.

Flooding of the arena

During the early years of the Colosseum’s use, the arena was flooded to stage actual naval battles (naumachiae). Although this spectacle was rare and very complex to perform, the Romans were able to fill the amphitheater with water for short periods of time thanks to an ingenious system of canals and aqueducts.

Underground system

The Colosseum had a complex underground system called the hypogeum, added by Emperor Domitian. This maze of corridors and chambers was used to hold animals and gladiators before performances. There were also hoists that lifted animals and scenery directly onto the arena stage, surprising spectators with sudden appearances.

Use of marble and iron

Originally, the Colosseum was covered with white marble, but much of it was removed in the Middle Ages to be reused in other buildings, such as St. Peter’s Basilica. The iron joints that held the stone blocks together were also removed over the centuries, contributing to the damaged appearance we see today.

Not just violent shows

Although gladiator fights and animal hunts were the main events, the Colosseum also hosted theatrical performances, such as mythological plays, and religious ceremonies. It was not only a place of violence, but also of entertainment and celebration of Roman culture.

The dimensions

The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever built in antiquity. It measures about 189 meters long, 156 meters wide and 50 meters high. It was capable of seating between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, spread over four tiers of seats, depending on social rank.

The significance of the downward-pointing thumb

The famous thumbs-down gesture (thumb verso), commonly associated with the idea of death sentence for gladiators, did not actually have this meaning in ancient Rome. Historians believe that the thumb downward indicated putting the sword back in its scabbard, thus a sign of grace. In contrast, an upward thumb could indicate that the gladiator was to be killed.

A “multifunctional” building

After the end of the Roman Empire and the cessation of gladiator shows, the Colosseum was used for various purposes, including a fortress during the Middle Ages and, later, as a quarry for building materials for buildings such as the Vatican. In addition, some of its rooms were used as workshops and living quarters.

Protection and preservation

Despite centuries of neglect, earthquakes, and looting, today the Colosseum is a symbol of Rome’s historical and cultural resilience. Since the 18th century, it has also been considered a symbol of the fight against the death penalty: every time a capital sentence is commuted or abolished by a country, the lights of the Colosseum are illuminated in celebration.

The Colosseum and the cinema

The Colosseum has been immortalized in numerous films, including “The Gladiator” (2000), which made the figure of the gladiator and the era of spectacles in ancient Rome even more famous. Although many scenes in the film were reconstructed with the use of digital effects, the Colosseum remains one of the greatest icons of historical cinema.

These facts and trivia show how extraordinary is the history and legacy of the Colosseum, a symbol of power, spectacle, and extraordinary engineering that has endured the millennia.

The Colosseum in the Centuries

The Colosseum has a long and fascinating history, spanning more than 2,000 years. Over the centuries, it has undergone various transformations, adaptations and uses, reflecting the changes in the city of Rome and its society. Here is an overview of how the Colosseum has evolved over time:

The era of the Roman Empire (1st-4th centuries AD).

Construction and Inauguration (70-80 AD): The Colosseum was built under Emperor Vespasian and inaugurated by Titus with games that lasted 100 days. During this period, the amphitheater hosted gladiator shows, animal hunts, and mythological plays.
Peak of glory (1st-4th centuries CE): During the early centuries, the Colosseum was at the center of Roman public life. Emperors held public spectacles to demonstrate their power and win the favor of the people. Millions of people watched gladiator fights and venationes (animal hunting) there.

Decline of the Empire and the fall of Rome (5th-6th centuries CE).

End of gladiatorial shows (438 AD): With the advent of Christianity and the end of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, gladiatorial games were gradually abolished. However, some activities, such as animal hunts, continued until the 6th century.
Damage caused by earthquakes and abandonment: Early earthquakes caused structural damage to the Colosseum, and as the Empire declined, the monument began to be abandoned. Parts of the building were left in ruins.

Middle Ages (7th-13th centuries)

Medieval fortress: During the Middle Ages, the Colosseum was repurposed for other purposes. Some powerful Roman families, such as the Frangipane, turned it into a fortress.
Materials Quarry: Over the centuries, many of the stones and materials from the Colosseum were looted and reused to build other structures in Rome, including some churches, palaces and St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Renaissance (14th-17th century)

Rediscovery of the Colosseum: With the Renaissance and renewed interest in classical antiquity, the Colosseum returned to center stage. Scholars and artists of the time began to study it and depict it in their works, considering it a symbol of ancient Rome.
Christian Symbol: In the 17th century, the Catholic Church began to see the Colosseum as a sacred place because of the partly legendary stories of Christians martyred in the arena. A cross was erected inside the Colosseum and religious processions were held in its honor.

Modern Age (18th-19th centuries)

Preservation and restoration: With the beginning of the 18th century, the Colosseum was finally recognized as a cultural heritage to be preserved. Pope Benedict XIV, in 1749, consecrated the Colosseum as a place of Christian martyrdom and prohibited further looting.
Romanticism and Travelers: During the 19th century, the Colosseum became a must-see stop for intellectuals and artists on the Grand Tour, an educational trip made by young European aristocrats. Romantic poets, painters and writers were fascinated by its ruins.

The Colosseum in the contemporary era (20th-20th century)

Further restoration: In the 20th and 21st centuries, numerous restorations were carried out to preserve the structure of the Colosseum, which had suffered damage from earthquakes and pollution. The monument was gradually cleaned and stabilized.
World Heritage Site: In 1980, the Colosseum was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the historic center of Rome.
Symbol of peace and against the death penalty: In the 21st century, the Colosseum has also become an international symbol of the fight against the death penalty. Whenever a death sentence is commuted or a country abolishes the death penalty, the Colosseum is illuminated with golden lights.

Today

The Colosseum is one of the world’s top tourist attractions, visited by millions of people every year. Its significance goes beyond its violent past: it represents the greatness of Roman engineering and the cultural power of Rome. It is used as a venue for cultural events and special ceremonies and remains a powerful symbol of Rome’s thousand-year history.

The Colosseum has thus spanned the centuries, transforming from a bloody arena of spectacle to a historic monument and symbol of peace and culture.

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