Colosseum

The giant stadium of ancient Rome

The Colosseum is a stadium built 2,000 years ago that held 50,000 spectators! Gladiators fought here, wild animals were shown, and the arena was even flooded for sea battles. Entry was free. Under the Colosseum were lifts — animals appeared suddenly in the arena. Today's stadiums are built in exactly this shape.

The Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre) was begun under Emperor Vespasian and opened by Titus in AD 80; it took 8 years to build. An ellipse of 189×156 m, 48 m tall, holding 50,000–80,000 spectators; through 80 entrances it filled in 15 minutes. Built of travertine, tuff and Roman concrete — 100,000 m³ of stone. The hypogeum is a two-level network of tunnels beneath the arena with 28 lifts and trapdoors. The 'velarium' was a giant cloth awning against the sun, operated by sailors. 9,000 animals were killed in the 100 days of opening games. Half of it was destroyed by earthquakes and stone-robbing. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World (2007). 7 million visitors a year.

Fun facts

• The Colosseum filled in 15 minutes through 80 gates — faster than modern stadiums!
• There were 28 lifts under the arena — lions appeared out of nowhere.
• Many of Rome's churches and palaces were built from Colosseum stone.