Just as stadiums are now filled with thousands of roaring fans for music concerts and sports entertainment, the Colosseum would be chock-full with the deafening boom of the audience as they cheered on (or lamented) the happenings within the pit of the ancient amphitheater.
In this guide we will talk about the Colosseum’s history, architecture and significance, as well as explain the ways in which you can visit this incredible site.
Where is the Colosseum in Rome located?
The Colosseum is located in a very central part of Rome. It stands on the east bank of the Tiber river and is also east of the Palatine hill. It is adjacent to the ruins of the Roman Forum.
The exact location is Piazza del Colosseo 1- 00184.
If you are located closer to Centro Storico, you can easily reach the Colosseum by foot while enjoying the splendour of Roman architecture and lifestyle along your route! If you are staying in a neighborhood that is a bit further away, do not worry! The piazza of the Colosseum is still accessible as the metro connects to it. Line B in fact, leaves you exactly by the ancient amphitheater.
The Colosseum is is also close to other ancient landmarks of Rome such as the Pantheon, Fontana di Trevi and many more. This means that a glorious day can be spent just exploring these glistening architecural gems steeped in centuries of history.
When was the Rome Colosseum built?
The Colosseum was constructed roughly between the period of 70 AD to 80 AD.
It was Emperor Vespasian who initiated the design. Being from the Flavian dynasty (which is why the Colosseum is also sometimes referred to as the Flavian Amphitheater), Vespasian intended the site to be a gift for the Romans to enjoy and make use of. His son and successor Titus oversaw the completion of the project.
Did you know that the initial design of the Colosseum included only three storeys?
Later in 82 AD, the emperor Domitian decided to add a fourth storey to it. Read on to determine why this was vital in explaining Roman socio-political culture.
Why was the Colosseum important?
The activities that took place inside the walls of the Colosseum really were the pinnacle of social activity for the inhabitants of ancient Rome.
Just as sports and music stadiums come to a roaring life in the contemporary world, the Colosseum would be booming with event upon event of the most popular entertainment around that time… gladiatorial combats, animal hunts and mock sea battles are just some examples.
We could possibly theorize that the Colosseum brought masses of people together to demonstrate a strong community.
But at the same time, it brought forth bold visual cues of segregations within the society, especially through the use of the four storeys for seating arrangements.
The one closest to the arena floor provided the best views and was reserved for the emperor (with his own box seating) and the most elite Romans in powers such as senators.
The storey above was used by businessmen and government officials. The third was used by average Roman citizens. Most interesting of all to show a clear social and gender divide was the highest storey with the worst view of the arena floor, which was reserved for women and for slaves.
Clearly, the Colosseum served as a compelling social and cultural symbol of Roman power and significance.
Colosseum architecture
The Colosseum is elliptical in shape and follows a tiered seating system all around. It is comprised of a very intricate arrangement of arches and vaults, with 80 entrances.
The structure indeed is ‘colossal’, it is 189 metres long and 156 metres wide; according to the Roman Regional Catalogues the amphitheater could hold up to 85,000 people!
The Colosseum was constructed out of a variety of materials. Its foundational structure is made up of stone and concrete, which were hauled up to position by cranes. Thousands of tonnes of iron were used, mostly to create clamps that would help hold the stones in place.
Other materials included travertine, tuff, concrete and lime for binding purposes, brick for further construction purposes and marble mostly for decorative purposes- it was also used to make some of the pillars!
Although the Colosseum has suffered from time and elements, it is incredible how it has vastly survived and still stands tall to be the bold icon of the Roman Empire it is today! Engineers muse over its sustenance after 2000 years, crediting it to the solid concrete foundation that existed in the very first place.
How to visit the Colosseum?
There are two main ways to experience the Colosseum:
Self-guided tour: You can purchase a ticket online or at the ticket office and then explore the Colosseum at your own pace. This is a good option for budget-conscious travelers who want to set their own itinerary. However, you might miss out on the historic context and fascinating details a guide can provide!
Guided tour: Joining a guided tour allows you to learn more about the Colosseum’s history, architecture and significance. Let your guide bring th Colosseum to life through sharing their insights in the form of vivid storytelling. The Colosseum is a site that can be fully experienced once the imagination is peaked and put to full use.
Walks Inside Rome offers a variety of Colosseum tours, including some with skip-the-line access to the ancient amphitheater. If you decide to take the guided tour route, we would be happy to help you pick out a tour that best piques your interest! We are available for all kinds of queries at [email protected].
