The Colosseum in Rome (aka the Flavian Amphitheater) is the largest arena in the history of mankind and one of the most famous attractions in the world. It is difficult to find a person who has never heard of the Colosseum.

In this article, I will tell you the most interesting information about this symbol of the Roman Empire and give useful tips to travelers who want to visit it.

Interesting information about the Colosseum:

1. The history of the amphitheater: how it all began, when and by whom it was built, how long the construction took and how many people participated in the construction.
2. How did the name of the Colosseum come about and how it was originally called
3. Architecture of the amphitheater: how the arena was arranged, the dimensions of the Colosseum and how many people it accommodated
4. How gladiator fights were held: how many people and animals died in the arena in its entire history, how the Romans treated gladiators, what kind of water fights were held in the arena
5. : 7 most curious
6. Video about the amphitheater - a very interesting broadcast from National Geographic

Useful information for travelers who want to visit the Colosseum:

1. Where is the Colosseum on the map of Rome and how to get to it
2. Opening hours and when is the best time to visit the attraction
3. How to get the most out of your visit to the Colosseum
4. Sightseeing virtual tour

History of the Colosseum in Rome

The history of the amphitheater is extremely interesting, because it was not an ordinary building of a landmark for the amusement of the people, this place has a whole backstory.

History of construction

It all started with the reign of Emperor Nero. In the first half of his reign, the ruler showed himself on an excellent side in relation to the people. He reduced taxes from 4.5% to 2.5%, successfully fought corruption and often arranged entertainment events.

But everything changed in the second half of the reign: after the death of his mentor, Nero became embittered, a period of despotism and arbitrariness began. The persecution of Christians began, hundreds of unjustified executions, and the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD became its apogee. e.

C. Piloty "Nero looks at burning Rome"

In short, this fire completely devastated 4 of the 14 quarters of Rome and caused massive damage to another 7. Then rumors spread that this Nero ordered arson.

The thing is that the emperor had long wanted to build a palace in the very center of Rome, but there were already houses, shops and historical buildings there. People were against demolishing everything, and a fire would greatly help the emperor.

In addition, a few days before the fire, Nero left for the town of Antium, 60 kilometers from Rome.

It looked very suspicious, and a few years later the emperor nevertheless laid the foundation for the palace, which he wanted to build, but did not complete the construction.

The palace was named "Nero's Golden House"

And did not complete because of the rebellion against him.

The restoration of Rome after a fire, the construction of a palace for Nero, the plague that passed through the city in those years - these events literally destroyed the faith of the people in the emperor.

In 68 A.D. e. an uprising arose and, after unsuccessful attempts to stop it, Nero committed suicide.

Construction of the Colosseum in Rome

After almost 2 years of civil war, the commander Titus Flavius ​​Vespasian ascended the throne. One of the first decrees of Vespasian was to destroy the palace of Nero and build something that would calm the angry people - no one needed new uprisings.

This calmer became the Colosseum.

The amphitheater was laid in 72 on the site where the pond of the Golden House of Nero was located. For the construction attracted 100 thousand slaves captured after the war with Judea. By the way, it was in this war that Vespasian destroyed the Jerusalem Temple, from which the famous Wailing Wall remained.

The Colosseum took 8 years to build, from 72 to 80 AD. e.

Where did the name Colosseum come from?

The original name was Flavian amphitheater in honor of the Flavian dynasty of emperors, who founded and built the Great Arena. So it was called for more than 6 centuries.

The current name of the Colosseum only in the 8th century. The most truthful theory says that people named the arena in honor of the 35-meter sculpture of Emperor Nero, made in the form of the sun god - Helios.

The same statue of Helios was among the 7 wonders of the world, it was the Colossus of Rhodes.

From here it went: Colosso (Colossus) → Colosseo (Coliseum).

Today, the statue is long gone, and no one knows where it is.

But now near the amphitheater you can see the original pedestal of the statue of Nero

Architecture of the Colosseum in Rome

The amphitheater, like other similar structures, is an ellipse, in the middle of which the arena itself is located. The main difference between the Colosseum and other amphitheaters is its size and the technological innovations that were used here.

Dimensions of the Colosseum in Rome

The amphitheater has an oval shape with a length of 188 meters and a width of 156, and the height of the amphitheater at the highest point of 50 meters is about the same as a 16-storey building. For such a huge structure as the Colosseum, it is very important to maintain strength, so the main element in the construction of steel arches.

By its structure, the arch does not allow the structure to collapse and withstands a very large load, besides, this is how the architects saved a lot of material, the transportation of which cost a lot of money.

The Colosseum was and remains the largest amphitheater in the world.

How many people did the Colosseum hold?

The main feature of the amphitheater in the 1st century AD. e. was its capacity. At the same time, the Colosseum could accommodate up to 50,000 people. Few stadiums today can boast such a capacity.

The capacity even became a reason for the admiration of pilgrims and guests of Ancient Rome. People shared their enthusiasm far beyond the borders of Italy, which further increased the popularity of the arena.

How were the gladiator fights in the Colosseum

A terrible fact: during the existence of the Colosseum, about 1 million animals and almost 500 thousand people were killed in its arena.

As soon as the amphitheater opened, the emperor held a feast and announced 100 days of gladiatorial battles. Over this time more than 9 thousand animals and 2 thousand people died.

30 years later, Emperor Trajan held 123 days of games in which thousands more people and animals died.

Wild animals were brought here from all over the Roman Empire: from lions, tigers and bears to horses, ostriches, rhinos and crocodiles.

The demand for animals over the hundreds of years of the existence of the Colosseum was so great that some animals completely disappeared from their natural habitat. As a result, this led to the extinction of entire species.

However, one should not dramatize the events that took place in the arena too much. For the Romans, these performances were more like a sport, and gladiators for them were like sports stars for us.

Many gladiators went to the arena voluntarily to gain money and fame.

Naval battles in the Colosseum

One of the most exciting spectacles was naval battles. They were held right in the arena, pre-filled with water.

To fill the arena with water, a water channel was built to the Tiber River, in this state the arena was filled with a maximum of a day. Then ships were launched into the water and bloody battles began.

Cannons did not exist then, so rams, bows and boarding were used in these battles.

A short video about how the naval battles took place:

After the spread of Christianity, fights between gladiators were banned in 404. But gladiator fights against animals were held until the end of the 6th century.

When the fighting stopped, the amphitheater lost its original purpose and was henceforth used for any purpose: stables, warehouses, a place for the homeless - all this was on the site of the former arena.

Why was the Colosseum destroyed?

The main reason for the destruction of the Colosseum in Rome is repeated earthquakes and fires.

The Romans kept and cherished their main symbol of the city, but after the ban on gladiator fights in 404 AD. e. the townspeople began to lose interest in the arena.

Due to major earthquakes in 442 and 486, cracks appeared in the amphitheater, and in 1349, after the largest shock, the southern part of the wall collapsed.

Since the arena had not fulfilled its original functions for a long time, no one was interested in restoring the amphitheater.

To see what the Colosseum was and what it became, click on the yellow circle in the center and drag left or right

There is another theory that one of the reasons for the destruction was the barbarians, who were taken from their native lands to fight in the arena. As retribution, they made holes in the wall of the amphitheater in order to destroy the main symbol of the great Rome.

Sounds nice, but it's hardly true.

Here's what the arena looked like then and now.

You can talk about the amphitheater for a very long time, but I chose the 7 most curious facts that will be really interesting.

1. Visiting the Roman Colosseum was completely free

50,000 people could come to the Colosseum and no one paid a single coin for it. However, there were original tickets.

Spectators received numbered clay tablets as tickets. They indicated the appropriate section and the row where they sat, depending on their social status. For no amount of money could a slave sit among the nobility.

To get inside, the architects provided 76 entrances for spectators, all of them were numbered. These figures can still be seen today.

4 more entrances were designed for the emperor and other important persons. This system of 80 entrances helped the amphitheater to pass the townspeople very quickly, so that there were no crowds and crowds.

2. Not all events and games ended in death

In the Colosseum, a daily schedule of events was drawn up, for example:

• There were animal shows in the morning;
• By evening, gladiatorial fights were held, but not always fought to the death. They simply fought, or if they fought with weapons, they did not finish off other gladiators;
• Also, military parades were held here when they won a major victory over external enemies;
• They organized music festivals, showed tricks, gathered for chants, joked, distributed food to the homeless;
• Organized sports competitions.

This is reminiscent of modern stadiums, which are easily transformed for football, and for a concert, and for a skating rink, and for any other events.

3. The Colosseum was covered with a huge awning

The Romans did not want to stop the performance due to the scorching sun or bad weather, so they decided to stretch the amphitheater with an awning. But just imagine the size of the tent with the size of the arena!

Drag the slider left and right

Entire ships on the nearby Tiber River were used to stretch such huge canvases. The awning was attached to the mast of the ship with ropes, and when the ship moved, the canvas was stretched.

To maintain the canopy in a taut state, cables were used, attached to stone pillars around the Colosseum.

4. The Colosseum was built without the use of cement

Yes, during the construction, no mortars were used to hold the blocks of stones together. Instead, metal staples and rods were used.

By the way, that is why there are so many holes and holes in the destroyed part - these are traces of rods.

5. The Colosseum was the first in the world to construct an elevator system.

The Romans raised animals and gladiators to the arena, located in the underground floor.

In combination with the elevator system, they created trap rooms that made the performances even more spectacular: people and wild animals appeared on the stage as if from nowhere.

This trap was restored according to old drawings

6The Ruined Wall Of The Colosseum Was Used To Build Other Structures In Rome

After the earthquake, the collapsed part of the Colosseum could be restored back. But instead, the inhabitants of the city began to take the stone for their needs. Some took brick by brick, others carried away so much that they built entire houses. Most of all took the rulers and people close to power. An interesting fact, from the stone of the former arena, by the 15th century, they built:

• 23 large aristocratic houses;
• 6 churches;
• Most of the bridges under construction at that time.

Video about the Colosseum

Video from National Geographic telling the history of the amphitheater. Very exciting and interesting, highly recommended.

Where is the Colosseum

The Colosseum is located in the center of Rome, Italy. Exact address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, Rome, Italy.

Colosseum on the map of Rome

How to get to the Colosseum in Rome

You can get there in several ways:

• Underground . Line B, Colosseo station, you will see the attraction as soon as you exit the subway;
• Bus. Colosseo stop at numbers 60, 75, 85, 87, 175, 186, 271, 571, 810, 850;
• Tram. Line 3.

Tickets

Ticket prices for the Colosseum:

• 12,00 €: regular price for an adult;
• 7.50 €: preferential, for members of the European Union from 18 to 25 years;
• Is free for all children under 18 years of age.

The ticket is valid for 2 days. You can also walk along it to the Palatine and the Roman Forum.

Every first Sunday of the month, admission to the Colosseum is free. However, keep in mind that at this time the queues are much longer than usual.

Opening hours of the Colosseum in Rome

Opening hours depend on the season: the earlier the sun sets, the earlier the amphitheater closes. Therefore, the Colosseum is open every day at the following hours:

• From 08.30 to 16.30: from the last Sunday in October to February 15;
• From 08.30 to 17.00: from February 16 to March 15;
• From 08.30 to 17.30: from 16 to the last Saturday of March;
• From 08.30 to 19.15: from the last Sunday of March to 31 August;
• From 08.30 to 19.00: from 1 to 30 September;
• From 08.30 to 18.30: October 1st to the last Saturday in October.

You can go inside no later than one hour before closing.

I advise you to visit the amphitheater early in the morning, come by 8.10-8.15. It is better to arrive a little earlier so as not to meet the crowds of tourists and not spend hours of your holiday in Rome waiting in line.

How to get the most out of your visit

The main problem when visiting the Colosseum is that you run the risk of not understanding the beauty of the amphitheater and it will remain for you just a “heap of stone”.

Therefore, there are 3 options that will help with solving this problem:

	pros	Minuses
Private tour	1. Don't have to stand in line 2. A special approach, they will tell you what is interesting for you 3. You do not need to keep a general discipline and schedule, you can stop at places that are of interest to you 4. If you want a guide and you are more than 3 people, then an individual one is more profitable than a group one, since here the price is for an excursion, and there it is per person	Price ~150 euros per tour
Group tour	Don't have to queue	1. Price ~50 euros per person 2. One information for all 3. You will have to keep a common schedule and adapt to the rest
Audio guide	1. Price (5-6 euros per person when buying at the box office of the Colosseum, you can find cheaper on the Internet) 2. You do not need to keep a general discipline and schedule, you can stop at places that are of interest to you	1. You need to stand in a general queue 2. Information without an individual approach

• For individual excursions I recommend (you can click). I know them personally, they always carry out at the level.
• A guide who conducts group tours can be found near the Colosseum, or in advance on the Internet. I can not advise anyone, because. I think it has too many downsides.
• An audio guide can be taken at the box office of the Colosseum, it costs 5-6 euros, they give out a listening device.

So choose what you can afford and suits you best, and have a good visit to the sights!

Virtual tour of the Colosseum

Rotate the image to view the panorama around.

Every year, architectural masterpieces appear on our planet that amaze with complexity, originality, and beauty. Sparkling with the latest materials, building structures assembled with the help of modern technology, they cause admiration. However, among the majestic sights created by ordinary human hands, there are those that have become an eternal value, a memory of the history of the planet, for example, the Colosseum in Rome.

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For 8 years, day and night, the hellish work of slaves implemented the project of the architect Quintius Aterius to create a majestic amphitheater of antiquity. The main purpose of creating an architectural miracle was the desire to perpetuate the power of the Flavian dynasty, the greatness of Rome. Based on the predictions of the soothsayers, 77 living slaves were buried in the foundation of the building, which should stand for at least 77 centuries.

The beginning of construction is associated with the name of the emperor Vespasian in the year 72 of the modern era. The consecration of the amphitheater, erected in the place of the famous lake of the Golden House of Nero, was carried out by Emperor Titus after 8 years. It was a triumph of victory in the suppression of the rebellion of the Jews, who were included in the lists of 100,000 captive people involved in the construction. It was they who erected the building, which in the 1st century was included in the list of the seven famous wonders of the world by the poet Martial.

The ancient Colosseum can tell about different moments of its long history, for example, the fire of 217. About the festival held in honor of the millennium of Rome, cruel gladiator fights, the earthquake of 1349, the devastating wounds of the barbarian invasion, the numerous restorations of the amphitheater. Any moments of the life of a public building reflected the historical events of Rome. No wonder the pilgrims of the 7th century said that “While the Colosseum stands, Rome will stand. When Rome falls, the world falls."

Purpose of construction

A glorious and mournful monument to the cruel empire of Rome, it was erected as a theater that gave "bread and circuses", the main political way of maintaining power by the powerful rulers of the country. The historical, cult symbol of Rome, a creation of the highest engineering thought, was intended for large-scale holidays, spectacles, and mysteries. In the country, in many places, the construction of ancient theaters was carried out. These events reliably distracted the inhabitants of the city from dissatisfaction with the policies of the emperors.

It was possible to visit the spectacles in the Colosseum without payment, having received flour at the entrance for making bread. Huge financial investments in all events held in the Colosseum emphasized the wealth and power of the current ruler. Moreover, they took place on the site of lands transferred to the people after the death of the hated Nero. In honor of the opening of the Colosseum, a celebration was organized that lasted 97 days. About two thousand brave gladiators, three thousand different animals died during the event.

Deep wells located in the dungeons of the Colosseum received the bodies of the dead. There is a legend according to which at that moment the name of the monster who lived in the dungeons of the Colosseum, thirsting for blood and pain, became known. The same feeling of unusual cruelty, inhuman treatment of living beings brought extraordinary pleasure to the audience of the amphitheater.

The huge size of the amphitheater was not the first in the history of ancient Rome. Unfortunately, the most grandiose building, called the Big Circus, has not been preserved. It is known that the center was a hippodrome, where chariot races were held in the presence of about 300 thousand spectators.

origin of name

There are several versions of the origin of the name of the Colosseum. Initially, the architectural landmark was called the Flavian Amphitheater, confirming the main purpose of its construction. Later it was called Caesar's amphitheater, the Arena. Much later, the majestic size of the building gave it the name Colosseum, meaning "colossal" (colosseum). According to another version, this is associated with the statue of Nero, which stood nearby. It was made of bronze covered with gold. The height of the statue was equal to a 12-storey modern building. Her whereabouts are currently unknown.

There is a hypothesis based on the meaning of the word Collis Iseum or the name of the hill on which the table is the temple of the goddess Isis. And another meaning of this word is the question "Do you worship him?". It was asked in the rituals of black magic of Satanists, passing here at night during the late Renaissance. Whatever version of the existence of the name of the amazing place is accepted, the Colosseum bears it for about 2 thousand years.

Why was the Colosseum destroyed?

Along with the fall of the Roman Empire, the period of destruction of the famous amphitheater began. The invasion of the barbarians in 410 AD caused great damage to the building, provoked a huge financial crisis of the empire. The cost of maintaining the amphitheater has been drastically reduced. The nascent Christianity forbade the killing of people and animals. The last bloody spectacle was held in 523. The need for entertainment shows disappeared. The purpose of the Colosseum has changed.

The constant destruction of the amphitheater led to the disappearance of a large part of the buildings. According to experts, two thirds of the structure perished only in the Stone Age. Forever forgotten is the passage to the underground sea, where the terrible monster of Nero lived in darkness and gloom, remaining in myths and legends. The Middle Ages used the Colosseum as a castle, a fortress. The rules of life of the Renaissance, the earthquake that destroyed the southern part of the amphitheater, allowed local residents to take building blocks, bricks, marble for personal purposes with impunity.

The Chancery Palace, the Venetian Palace, the Farnese Palace, the Cathedrals of Saints Peter and John the Baptist on the Lutheran Hill were built from building material taken from the walls of the Colosseum. Among the ruins of the Colosseum, reminiscent of a shadow of its past, the homeless found shelter, church events took place in memory of the spilled blood. The end of the destruction of the Colosseum is associated with the name of Pope Benedict XIV in the 18th century.

Until now, every Good Friday, the procession is performed by believing Christians. The surviving part of the building began to be gradually restored. In the 18th century, the Colosseum was classified as a monument of history and architecture. It opened for tourists on July 19, 2000, and in 2007 made it an element of the UNESCO lists as a world heritage site.

Architecture

Until now, engineering solutions used in the construction of the Colosseum are used in the construction of modern stadiums and arenas. It is unlikely that surprise will ever disappear from the methods of creating the amphitheater's water runoff, the unusual strength of the arched structure, which makes it possible to hold thousands of spectators, ensuring their safety, including from fires.

The amphitheater in each place had an optimal seating angle, an easy way to find a specific place, free entry, exit. The massive structure, thanks to the ideas of the architects of ancient Rome, who used a honeycomb structure, acquired an unusual lightness, the beauty of stone lace.

Facade

Looking at the preserved walls of the Colosseum, one cannot see elements of the classical models of Greek temples in the form of rectangular rows of columns decorated with pediments. Closest of all, the appearance of the Colosseum resembles a honeycomb of numerous arches connected according to the laws of an ellipse with dimensions of 83x48 m. This form forbade gladiators to fight in corners that some spectators could not see. This technique is still used in the design of sports buildings.

All 80 entrances were decorated with statues of famous personalities of the country, gods. Entrances are made of travertine, marble, red brick, tuff. Four of them were used by persons from the highest nobility. They led to the bottom row of the amphitheater. Four tiers were used to accommodate spectators. The lower devices consisted of arcades (80 arches each). An orange, linen awning was attached to the eaves of the fourth tier, protecting the audience from the bright sun and rain. During the reign of Domitian, another level was built to the amphitheater with standing places for the poor, slaves, and women.

Entrance to performances was forbidden to actors, former gladiators, gravediggers. The even distribution of entrances along the perimeter of the amphitheater made it possible to fill the arena in 15 minutes, and to empty it, if necessary, in just 5 minutes. This constructive solution was called "vomitoria" ("vomere", which means "spewing"). It is still in use today. The system of steps and corridors allowed spectators to quickly climb to their seats without interfering with each other.

Until now, on the walls of the Colosseum, you can see the revenge numbers written in ancient times. On the outer side of the Colosseum were the entrances to the basement, where the gladiators were waiting for their entry into the arena. Animals were kept in huge cages, rooms for the wounded and the dead were equipped. All rooms were connected by a system of 38 elevators operating on cables and chains.

Dimensions of the Colosseum

The most famous amphitheater of antiquity has a length of the outer ellipse of 524 m. Its major axis is 188 m, the length of the minor one is 156 m. The arena is made in the form of a smaller ellipse. Its length is 85.5 m, width 53.5 m. The Colosseum stands on a foundation with a width of 13 m. The height of the building reaches 50 m. 80 walls directed along the radius were used in the construction of the building. A large number of pillars (about 240 pieces), easing the pressure of the bearing vaults. The whole building was surrounded by a path, 17.5 m wide, covered with travertine.

Internal organization

Inside the amphitheater there was an arena, places for spectators on different tiers. The more significant the position of a person, the lower the place was given to him. The system of social subordination was strictly enforced. There were pillows on the stone steps below, you could bring your own chair. The arena of wooden boards was separated from the audience by a metal grate. Under it were service passages for moving people, scenery.

It was possible to fill the arena with water for the famous naval battles. The slope of the arena floor was adjustable. It was carefully covered with a layer of sand to effectively absorb blood. Pots of incense were placed around the arena to neutralize the smell of blood.

The total number of seats (50,000) was divided into tiers corresponding to the tiers of the façade. The bottom row (podium) belonged to the emperor, his family, and senators. In the first tier there were 20 rows, in the second 16, for representatives of the middle class. There was a wall between the second and third tiers. The seats of the third tier had a greater slope. Representatives of the lower classes sat on them. The interior parts of the Colosseum are made of brick, tuff, marble, large stone, blocks, pieces, wood.

During performances, merchants were allowed to offer their goods to the audience. These were souvenirs in the form of a gladiator costume, figurines of famous warriors, delicious food. At the entrance to the Colosseum, an invitation (tesser) was presented, which was a marble plate or cube indicating the place. Spectators had to comply with the dress code. In this case, men must be in a toga.

The purpose of the amphitheater

Life was seething in the Colosseum, it was considered a popular meeting place for representatives of different classes. Fierce battles, killings were a natural need of the population of those times. It sometimes seems to modern tourists that rivers of blood and pain have soaked the ancient land. And a terrible monster is waiting for its heyday, hiding in the deep bowels. What did the Romans admire so much? These were venationes (animal hunting), munera (gladiator fights), naumachia (sea battles).

Gladiator fights

A little more than four centuries in the arena at exactly noon, the previously planned spectacle opened. Gladiator fights were held by order of influential people in honor of the festivities, perpetuating the memory of famous ancestors. The start of the games was planned for the morning, but the gladiators were the first to enter the arena along with musicians, actors, mimes, priests. The opening battle was conducted by a pregenarium who fought with a wooden sword, creating an emotional atmosphere for the audience.

Depending on the type of weapon, clothes, professional gladiators were called retiarius, murmillon, samnite, thracia, dimacher, skisser, etc. Professional qualities, rules of warfare were developed in special schools called ludus. Only at the very beginning of the organization of spectacles, the role of gladiators was performed by prisoners, criminals who fought as best they could. Then they were brought up from among the slaves, ordinary residents who considered the battle in the arena a prestigious, highly paid service. At the end of the period of Roman power, almost half of the total number of gladiators consisted of free citizens.

The preparation of a real gladiator was considered a lengthy, difficult task and was carried out under an oath "to endure punishment with a whip, a brand, to accept death by the sword." A weakening gladiator had the right to ask for mercy. He raised up, index and ring fingers. Only the emperor with his gesture (thumb up or down) decided the fate of the fighter. Delight, the opinion of the crowd was reflected in the fate of the gladiator. He was given a special wreath, the slave was given freedom and a wooden sword (rudiy) engraved with the name of the fighter.

The rules of warfare were carefully thought out. They were taught in schools, it was forbidden to break the rules. The fighters began their first battles at the age of about 17 years. The average life expectancy before death did not exceed 5 years. Few fought more than 50 battles. Up to 75% of gladiators died during the first 10 fights. The life of slaves was not valued, their bodies after death were thrown away to be eaten by stray dogs.

The fate of those participating in gladiator fights was different. The bodies were dumped into deep mines leading to the underground sea where the monster lived. This was a kind of justification for the all-powerful people of the empire (death to continue life). The famous slave uprising led by Spartacus confirms the difficult conditions of life in schools. The last gladiator fight took place in 404. The emergence of Christianity ended the tradition of killing people.

Animal hunting

Often, as a prelude to the performance of gladiators, hunting for various wild animals was organized in the Colosseum. Tigers, elephants, lions, pythons, crocodiles, bulls, bears were caught in advance throughout the entire area of ​​the empire and delivered to the place. Two variants of struggle were used: a person with an animal and pairs of animals. At the same time, one could see not only the natural combination of the warring parties, for example, a lion with a tiger, a bull with a bear, but also attacks that were unequal or impossible in natural conditions.

Sometimes the unfortunate animal was chained to the floor of the arena, depriving him of the opportunity to maneuver for protection. It is said that around 9,000 animals died during the opening of the Colosseum alone. There is historical evidence that during the reign of Sulla 100 lions fought in the arena, under Julius Caesar their number increased to 400 units. In honor of the victory of Troyan, 11 thousand different animals died.

Naval battles

Expensive naval battles called Naumachia appeared in the third century BC. They were carried out only in exceptional cases, and supporting facts exist about five battles. The first naval battle that took place in the Colosseum is considered to be the battle dedicated to the triumph of Caesar in the victorious war of 46 BC. e. In the arena filled with water, real warships (biremes, quadriremes) floated. Real battles took place on their decks. Until now, not all the secrets of water supply to the arena have been studied.

Often real historical battles were reenacted during the naumachia. For example, the battle of Salamis, the defeat of the Athenian flotilla. After the construction of underground tunnels under the arena (during the reign of Domitian), naval battles are not carried out. For such entertainment, it was decided to build playgrounds on natural reservoirs.

But this colossal circus was originally built by Jewish slaves.

Forgotten and neglected, the 2,000-year-old Roman Colosseum holds many secrets, and there are many interesting facts associated with it.

Ancient Colosseum in Rome

1. Its real name is the Flavian Amphitheatre.

The construction of the Colosseum began in 72 AD. e. by order of the emperor Vespasian. In 80 AD e., under the emperor Titus (son of Vespasian), the construction was completed. Together with Titus, from 81 to 96, Domitian (Tito's brother) ruled the country. All three were of the Flavian dynasty, and in Latin the Colosseum was called Amphitheatrum Flavium.

2. There was a time when next to the Colosseum there was a giant statue of Nero - the Colossus of Nero.

The infamous emperor Nero erected a giant bronze statue of himself, 35 meters high.

3. The Colosseum was built on the site of a former lake.

The golden house of Nero was built after the Great Fire of 64, and on its territory there was an artificial lake. After the death of Nero in 68 and a series of civil wars, Vespasian became emperor in 69.

He dedicated the palace of Nero to the people of Rome. All the expensive ornaments of the palace were removed and buried in the mud, and the Baths of Trajan were built on this site. The lake near the house of Nero was filled up and, by order of the emperor, the construction of an amphitheater intended for the entertainment of the people of Rome began.

4. The Colosseum was built in exactly 10 years.

After the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Emperor Vespasian used the ruins of the Jerusalem Temple to start building an amphitheater for the inhabitants of Rome. Despite the fact that Vespasian died before the completion of construction, his son Titus completed the Colosseum in the 80th year.

5. This is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built.


Unlike other amphitheaters of the time, which were built by digging the right shape out of a hillside, the Colosseum is a structure made of cement and stone. The length of the outer ellipse of the Colosseum is 524 meters, the major axis is 187.77 meters long and the minor axis is 155.64 meters. The arena of the Colosseum has a length of 85.75 m and a width of 53.62 m, and the walls rise 48 - 50 meters.

6. There were also seats in the Colosseum.

The building was designed in such a way that there were places for both the poor and the rich. All spectators were divided into sectors, depending on their social status and financial situation. Senate members, for example, sat closer to the arena, while women and the poor sat in the poor seats. There were 5 sections in total, and all the arches were numbered I-LXXVI (i.e. from 1 to 76). There were different entrances and stairs for People of different status, and there were also walls that separated them.

7. The Colosseum held 50,000 spectators.

A seat only 35 cm wide was allocated for each person. Today, not all football stadiums can boast of the attendance that the Colosseum had.

Arena of the Colosseum
8. Battles between gladiators were organized with incredible care.

For 400 years, former soldiers, military prisoners, slaves, criminals and even volunteers fought in the arena, and all this served as entertainment for the Romans. But the fighters were chosen for a reason. To enter the arena of the Colosseum, competing gladiators were selected for their weight, size, experience, fighting skill and fighting style.

9. The Colosseum has become a cemetery for a huge number of animals.

In addition to fights between gladiators, the Romans staged battles between animals and demonstrative hunting. Lions, elephants, tigers, bears, hippos and other exotic animals could be seen in the arena killing or being severely injured.

More than 9,000 animals died during the opening of the arena and another 11,000 were killed during the 123-day festival hosted by Emperor Trajan. According to conservative estimates, over 500,000 people and over 1 million animals have died in the arena of the Colosseum in its entire existence.

10. Grand battles on ships.

Surprisingly, the arena of the Colosseum was specially flooded by about 1 meter so that ship battles could be arranged. Reconstructions of warships were installed in the arena so that great naval victories could be celebrated. Water flowed through special aqueducts directly to the arena. All this could be seen before the emperor Domitian, during which the Colosseum was made into a basement, where there were rooms, passages, traps and animals.

11. The Colosseum has been in disrepair for many centuries.

When the bloody gladiator fights lost their spectacle and the Roman Empire began to collapse in the 5th century, the Colosseum ceased to be a venue for large public events. Moreover, earthquakes, lightning strikes and other natural phenomena significantly affected the structure.

It wasn't until the 18th century that the Catholic Church and many priests decided that the site of the Colosseum should be preserved.

12. The Colosseum was dismantled for building materials.

The beautiful stone and marble from which the Colosseum was made attracted the attention of many people. After the earthquake of 847, Roman priests and aristocrats began to collect the beautiful marble that adorned the facade of the Colosseum and use it to build churches and houses.

It is worth noting that the Colosseum was used as a source of building materials for buildings such as the Palazzo Venezia and the Lateran Basilica. Also, the marble of the Colosseum was used for the construction of St. Peter's Basilica - the largest building in the Vatican, and the largest historical Christian church in the world.

13. One priest wanted to turn the Colosseum into a cloth factory.

The underground part of the Colosseum eventually filled with mud, and for several centuries the Romans grew vegetables and stored them inside the building, while blacksmiths and merchants occupied the upper tiers.

Pope Sixtus V, who helped rebuild Rome in the late 16th century, tried to convert the Colosseum into a cloth factory, with living quarters on the upper tiers and a workplace in the arena. But in 1590 he died, and the project was not carried out.

Rome's most popular attraction
14. The Colosseum is the most visited attraction in Rome


Along with the Vatican and its holy places, the Colosseum is Italy's second most visited attraction and Rome's most visited monument. Every year it is visited by 6 million tourists.

15. The Colosseum will finally be updated.

To begin with, it is planned to spend 20 million euros on the arrangement of the arena. Billionaire Diego Della Valle also plans to invest $33 million to restore the Colosseum, which began in 2013 and includes restoration of the arches, marble cleaning, restoration of brick walls, replacement of metal railings, and the construction of a new visitor center and cafe.

The Italian Ministry of Culture plans to restore the Colosseum to what it was in the 19th century. In addition, they want to make a scene in the arena based on images of the Colosseum from the 1800s, which will cover the underground tunnels that are currently open.

origin of name

The official name of the Roman arena was the Flavian Amphitheatre. The attraction, familiar to us, received the name “Colosseum” only in the VIII century from the Latin word “colosseus”, which means “huge, colossal”. The popular belief that the name comes from a nearby colossal 36-meter statue of Nero is erroneous.

History of the Colosseum

To understand the reasons for the construction of the Colosseum, it is necessary to understand the situation that developed during the decade that preceded the start of construction. The Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD cleared vast areas in the city, including the valley of the three hills (Caelium, Palatine and Esquiline), where the amphitheater is located. Emperor Nero, taking advantage of the fire, seized a huge part of the vacated land for the construction of the palace complex, the size of which still remains a record for all the royal residences ever built in Europe. According to various sources, the palace complex of Nero was located on an area from 40 to 120 hectares and so impressed with its splendor that it later received the name "Nero's Golden House". For its construction, the emperor greatly increased taxes. The despotism and arbitrariness of Nero, together with the complete removal from the administration of the empire, led to a state conspiracy. There was a rare situation when the emperor managed to turn against himself all the social strata of ancient Roman society at once. Realizing that his fate was sealed, Nero committed suicide.

The new emperor Vespasian, being a subtle politician and pragmatist, understood how important it was to get the support of the Roman crowd. The recipe was simple - you need to provide "bread and circuses." Where the palace complex for Nero was located, Vespasian decides to build a huge building for the population of Rome. The symbolism is obvious. The choice fell on the project of building a new grandiose amphitheater. It was especially important to realize the conceived idea in connection with the desire of Vespasian to become the founder of the imperial Flavian dynasty. The amphitheater was to become a family monument for the ages.

Construction financing

The wasteful Nero ruined the treasury, so Vespasian had to find funds for the construction as soon as possible. At this very time, to their great misfortune, the Jews rose in revolt against Roman domination. Vespasian and his son Titus took advantage of the opportunity presented to brutally suppress the rebellion, and at the same time sack Jerusalem. Particularly rich booty was the religious complex of the city called the Temple Mount, the main attraction of which at that time was the Second Jerusalem Temple. 30,000 captives were sold as slaves, and another 100,000 were sent to Rome for the most difficult work of extracting stone from a quarry and transporting it to the construction site of the Colosseum. It turns out that the prehistory of the Colosseum is as bloody and cruel as the events that took place later in its arena.

Of course, ordinary citizens also felt the grandiose construction of the greatest of the Roman structures. The empire raised the old and introduced new taxes. Even a tax on toilets was introduced, thanks to which the expression "Money does not smell" appeared. This is how Vespasian responded to his son Titus when he questioned the moral aspect of the new tax.

Construction and architecture of the Colosseum

Coliseum- the most grandiose ancient amphitheater. Its dimensions:

• the length of the outer ellipse is 524 meters;
• major axis - 187 meters;
• minor axis - 155 meters;
• arena length (also elliptical) - 85 meters;
• width of the arena - 53 meters;
• wall height - 48 meters;
• foundation thickness - 13 meters.

Construction of the Colosseum started in 72 during the reign of Vespasian, was completed and consecrated under his son Emperor Titus in 80. During this historical period, more than one million inhabitants lived in Rome. The amphitheater had to be large enough to accommodate 50 thousand viewers and at the same time strong enough to support its own weight. The solution to this problem was clearly demonstrated by the genius of Roman architectural thought. Many engineering solutions that were used in the construction of the Colosseum became revolutionary.

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The engineering idea of ​​the amphitheater is simple and ingenious. The frame of the structure is a solid structure of intersecting radial (extending from the arena in all directions) and concentric (surrounding the arena) walls. In total, 80 gradually rising radial and 7 concentric walls were erected. Above them were rows for spectators.

The outer concentric wall of the amphitheater includes four tiers, the first three of which have 80 seven-meter-high arches each. In the design of the first tier, decorative semi-columns of the Tuscan order are used, the second tier - Ionic, the third - Corinthian. The last fourth tier is a solid wall (without arches) with small rectangular windows. Bronze shields were placed in the piers between the windows, and statues were installed in the arched openings of the second and third floors.

The use of arches, a feature of which is the ability to reduce the weight of the entire structure, was the only true and possible engineering solution for such high walls. Another advantage of arched structures was their uniformity, which greatly simplified the construction of the entire structure. Arched sections were created separately, and only then they were assembled together as a constructor.

Construction Materials

The load-bearing radial and concentric walls of the amphitheater are lined with natural limestone known as travertine. It was mined near Tivoli (35 km from Rome). Researchers believe that the same 100 thousand captives captured as a result of the suppression of the Jewish uprising worked at the stage of extraction, delivery and primary processing of travertine. Then the stone fell into the hands of Roman masters. The quality of their processing, as well as the level of construction in general, is simply amazing. Pay attention to how precisely the huge stones adjoin each other.

All travertine blocks were connected to each other with iron staples, which were removed in the Middle Ages, which greatly weakened the structure of the entire structure. It is estimated that 300 tons of metal were spent on the brackets that tighten the walls. Now in their place, through holes gape in the preserved walls.

In addition to the travertine used for load-bearing radial and concentric walls, when building the Colosseum, Roman engineers widely used volcanic tuff, brick and concrete, the advantage of which was relative lightness. For example, tuff blocks were intended for the upper tiers of the amphitheater, while concrete and brick were well suited for partitions and ceilings inside the structure.

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Entrances to the Colosseum

The architectural and logistical solution used in the Colosseum is used in the construction of stadiums to this day - many entrances are located evenly around the entire perimeter of the structure. Thanks to this, the public could fill the Colosseum in 15 minutes and leave in 5.

In total, the Colosseum had 80 entrances, of which 4 were intended for senators and members of the magistrate, 14 for horsemen, 52 for all other social categories. The horsemen's entrances were called south, north, west and east, while the other 76 had their own serial number (from I to LXXVI). If you look closely, some of them can be seen even today. Each spectator, depending on the social status, received a ticket (report card), which indicated not only his place, but also which entrance he should use.

The more important a person was, the easier it was for him to get to his place. In addition, the corridors and stairs of the amphitheater were planned in such a way that people of different classes did not collide with each other. Such a well-thought-out system practically eliminated the crush.

Seats for spectators

The Roman Colosseum could accommodate up to 50,000 people at the same time. Spectators were seated in strict accordance with the social hierarchy. The bottom row, or podium, was reserved for senators and members of the magistrate. Here, although on a slight elevation, was the bed of the emperor. Behind the podium was a tier for horsemen, and then a tier with seats for those who had the status of a citizen in the Roman Empire. The next tier is for the plebs and women. The last was a standing tier for slaves and not noble foreigners. It turns out that the Colosseum was a model of Roman society in miniature.

Arena and Hypogeum

Two entrances led to the arena: the “Gate of Triumph” (lat. Porta Triumphalis), through which gladiators and animals entered the arena and returned back with victory, and the “Gate of Libitina” (lat. Porta Libitinaria), named after the goddess of death and burials, and where the dead or wounded were taken.

Over time, the desire for more majestic spectacles in the arena of the Colosseum only increased. Constant innovation was required to keep the Roman crowd happy and tractable at all times. Already 5 years after the opening, the arena was completely reconstructed by Domitian, the second son of Vespasian. Domitian created an underground complex of unprecedented scale under the arena - the hypogeum. It was a series of technical and utility rooms with a complex system of special passages and platforms (elevators) for raising gladiators and animals to the arena. There were 60 hatches and 30 platforms in total.

Due to the unique functionality of the hypogeum, the arena of the Colosseum could change depending on the scenario. Real theatrical performances unfolded here, the purpose of which was to present death and murder even more colorful and vivid. Decorations were erected to imitate nature or structures. The participants of the show, especially if it was a mass show, appeared at the most unexpected moment in extremely important places, which could seriously change the disposition of the fighting parties in the arena. Hypogeum has taken the games to a higher level. Today, this part of the Colosseum is the only one that has hardly suffered from time.

Velarius (canopy)

On hot and rainy days, a velarium (sailcloth canopy) was stretched over the amphitheater, which was mounted on 240 wooden masts installed in stone console racks of the upper fourth tier of the outer wall. The canopy was operated by several thousand specially trained sailors who had previously served in the Navy. Unfortunately, detailed information on exactly how the canopy functioned and how it was pulled was not preserved.

The history of the functioning of the Colosseum

The first repair, as shown by archaeologists, was made after a fire during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161). In 217, as a result of a lightning strike on the upper floor of the Colosseum, most of the amphitheater burned out. In 222, games were resumed in the arena, but the reconstruction of the building was completed only in 240 under Emperor Gordian III, and on this occasion a commemorative coin was issued.

In 248, Emperor Philip organized grandiose celebrations of the millennium of Rome in the Colosseum. In 262, the amphitheater was able to survive a strong earthquake with relative success. The second half of the 4th century was marked by the gradual decline of gladiatorial games under the influence of the spread of Christianity:

• in 357, Emperor Constantine II prohibited the Roman military from voluntarily enrolling in gladiatorial schools after the end of their service;
• in 365, Emperor Valentinian forbade judges from sentencing criminals to death in the arena;
• in 399 all gladiatorial schools were closed.

The reason for the final ban on gladiator fights was the case described by Bishop Theodoret of Kirr. In 404, a Christian monk from Asia Minor named Telemachus jumped into the arena and rushed to the fighting gladiators, trying to separate them. This pious zeal cost him his life: an angry mob attacked the peacemaker and tore the monk to pieces. However, Telemachus's sacrifice was not in vain: under the impression of his martyrdom, Emperor Honorius banned gladiatorial games forever.

The capture of Rome by the Goths (410) led to the looting of the amphitheater, from which bronze ornaments and decorative elements were removed. The last games (included only the baiting of wild animals) were held by Flavius ​​Anicius Maximus in 523. Starting from the 6th century, the Colosseum, under the influence of natural elements, began to rapidly fall into decay, its arena was overgrown with trees and grass, and wild animals found shelter under the stands.

During the Middle Ages, all knowledge about the purpose of the amphitheater was lost. People began to imagine that the grand structure was the temple of the Sun God. In special brochures for pilgrims who visited Rome, the Colosseum was described as a round temple dedicated to various gods, and once covered with a bronze or copper dome. Gradually, the entire space inside the amphitheater began to be built up with houses of small craftsmen and artisans. Also in the Middle Ages, there was a popular legend that the influential Frangipani family hid their treasures in the Colosseum.

In 1349, a powerful earthquake in Rome caused the collapse of the Colosseum, especially its southern part. After that, they began to look at the ancient landmark as a place for the extraction of building material, and not only stones that had fallen off, but also deliberately broken out of it, began to be used for the construction of new buildings. Many Roman mansions, palaces and temples were built from marble and travertine quarried from the ruins of the Colosseum.

So, in the 15th and 16th centuries, Pope Paul II used stone from the Colosseum to build the so-called Venetian Palace, Cardinal Riario - the Palace of the Chancellery, and Paul III - the Palazzo Farnese. It is known that Sixtus V intended to use the Colosseum to equip a cloth factory, and Clement IX turned it into a saltpeter factory for a short period of time. Despite such a consumer attitude, a significant part of the amphitheater still survived, albeit in an extremely disfigured condition.

Modern architectural studies of the Colosseum began around 1720, when Carlo Fontana made an inspection of the amphitheater and studied its geometric proportions. At this time, the first tier of the structure was already completely buried under the ground and debris accumulated over many centuries.

The first Pope to take the Colosseum under his protection was Benedict XIV (Pontiff from 1740 to 1758). He dedicated it to the Passion of Christ as a place stained with the blood of many Christian martyrs, and ordered a huge cross and a number of altars to be erected in the middle of the arena in memory of the tortures, the procession to Golgotha ​​and the death of the Savior on the cross. He (Benedict XIV) put an end to the centuries-old "robbery" of the Colosseum, forbidding the use of the building as a quarry.

In 1804, Carlo Fea, an archaeologist and curator of antiquities, after examining the monument of architecture, drew up a memorandum in which he noted the importance of immediate restoration work due to the danger of collapse of the walls. A year later, excavations began and a thorough examination of the amphitheater for reconstruction, which was led by the architect Camporesi. Throughout the time until 1939, the entire territory of the Colosseum was gradually cleared of debris and centuries-old layers of soil. The outer walls were also strengthened and the arena cleared.

In the second half of the 20th century, the position of the Colosseum deteriorated due to rainwater seepage, atmospheric pollution (mainly car exhaust) and vibration from heavy urban traffic. Researchers believe that from the VI to the XXI century, the Colosseum lost two-thirds of its original "volume". Of course, the main role in the destruction was played by the inhabitants of Rome themselves, who used the abandoned arena for a long time as a source of travertine for the construction of new buildings.

Spectacles in the arena of the Colosseum

In the arena of the amphitheater, the public was offered such entertainment spectacles as gladiator fights, baiting of wild animals, the killing of convicted criminals and the reconstruction of naval battles. The celebrations in honor of the opening of the Colosseum, organized by Emperor Titus in 80, lasted exactly 100 days. During this time, about 5,000 gladiators and 6,000 wild animals took part in the battles. Of these, 2,000 gladiators and 5,000 animals were killed.

People and animals wounded in battle lost a lot of blood, and so that the flooring of the arena did not become slippery, it was sprinkled with a layer of dry sand, which absorbed blood well. Such sand, saturated with blood, was called "harena", from which the word "arena" came.

Contrary to the opinion that Christians were allegedly executed in the Colosseum on a huge scale, there is something else - that all this is nothing more than successful propaganda of the Catholic Church, which at one time was in dire need of creating images of suffering and martyrdom. Of course, individual executions of Christians in the arena took place, but their number is considered to be deliberately overestimated.

Traditionally, the action in the arena of the Colosseum began in the morning with the performance of cripples and clowns, who entertained the audience with fake fights without bloodshed. Women also sometimes competed in shooting and weapons. Then there was the persecution of wild animals. By noon the executions began. Murderers, robbers, arsonists and robbers of temples were sentenced by Roman justice to the most cruel and shameful death in the arena. At best, they were given weapons and they had a ghostly chance against a gladiator, at worst, they were given to animals to be torn to pieces. Over time, such executions turned into real theatrical performances. Decorations were set up in the arena, and the criminals were dressed up in appropriate costumes.

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gladiator fights

The origin of gladiatorial games is still a matter of debate. There is a version that they are rooted in the Etruscan custom of sacrifice during the funeral of a noble person, when a warrior defeated in a fight was sacrificed in order to propitiate the spirit of the deceased. Historians believe that the first gladiatorial games were held in 246 BC by Marcus and Decimus Brutus in honor of their deceased father, Junius Brutus, as a gift for the dead.

Gladiators were criminals sentenced to death, prisoners of war, or slaves who were specially bought for this purpose and trained. Professional gladiators were also free people who volunteered to participate in the games, hoping to make money or gain fame. When concluding the first contract, the gladiator (if he had previously been a free man) received a one-time payment. With each re-extension of the contract, the amount increased significantly.

Gladiators were trained in special schools-barracks, originally owned by private citizens, but later became the property of the emperor in order to prevent the formation of private armies. So, the emperor Domitian built four similar barracks for gladiators near the Colosseum. They were adjoined by: training facilities, a hospital for the wounded, a morgue for the dead and a warehouse with weapons and food.

It is known that even individual Roman emperors entered the arena. So, the historian Aelius Lampridius at the beginning of the 5th century writes about the emperor Commodus: “He fought like a gladiator and received gladiatorial nicknames with such joy, as if they were given as a reward for triumphs. He always performed in gladiatorial games and ordered that reports of any of his performances be entered in official historical documents. It is said that he fought 735 times in the arena.” Emperors Titus and Adrian also liked to "play" in gladiators.

Archaeologists have deciphered several inscriptions found on the stones of the Colosseum under the arena. One of them says that "Flamm's gladiator received a wooden sword four times, but chose to remain a gladiator." The presentation of a wooden sword after the battle meant that the gladiator was granted freedom, which he had the right to refuse.

Scenarios of gladiator fights were different. Participants fought both one-on-one and teams for the survival of the strongest. The most spectacular and bloodthirsty was a group fight on the principle of "every man for himself", which ended when only one of the gladiators remained alive.

In the scope of gladiator fights, the record belongs to Trajan. He organized games lasting 123 days, in which 10 thousand gladiators took part. In total, during the years of Trajan's reign, 40,000 people died in the arena.

The lifestyle of the gladiators was close to the military: living in the barracks, strict discipline and daily training. For insubordination and non-compliance with the rules, the gladiators were severely punished. For those who fought well and won, there were special privileges: a special diet and an established daily routine that allowed them to maintain good physical shape. For victories, concubines were often brought as a reward to gladiators. Cash rewards for successful fights were at the disposal of the school. In harsh everyday life and endless games with death, gladiators, however, were not deprived of female attention and love. A lot of women, including many noble persons, burned with passion for strong courageous warriors.

Also in Rome there were specialized schools in which they taught to fight with wild animals, various sophisticated tricks and methods of killing them for the amusement of the audience. This category of warriors was called venatores. They were lower in rank than gladiators.

Harassing wild animals

The first mention of the persecution of wild animals in Rome dates back to 185 BC. Most likely, the new entertainment was borrowed during the Punic War with the Carthaginians, who had a custom to expose runaway slaves to fight against wild animals.

For persecution in the arena of the Colosseum, wild animals were brought to Rome from all over the empire. Not only predators such as lions, panthers and cheetahs were valued, but also exotic non-aggressive animals (such as zebras). The variety of animals was primarily a manifestation of imperial power. Over time, the persecution led to terrible consequences - some species simply became extinct (elephants in North Africa, hippos in Nubia, lions in Mesopotamia).

The day before the persecution, the animals were exhibited in a special place for the public to see. In Rome, it was a vivarium near the port. Then the animals were transported and placed in the premises of the hypogeum (under the arena of the amphitheater), where they waited in the wings to effectively rise to the surface of the arena on a special platform. In some representations, animals fought each other, such as a lion against a tiger, a bull or a bear. Sometimes the pairs were unequal: lions were placed against deer.

However, most animal persecution took place with the participation of a person. It was either a trained "hunter" (lat. venatores), armed with a spear or sword and protected by leather armor, or a "bestiary" (a convicted criminal who was sentenced to fight with a predatory beast). The criminal, as a rule, was armed only with a dagger, so that his chances of surviving in the arena were minimized. Usually the performance ended with a performance of tamed animals specially trained to perform tricks, similar to modern circus performances.

A peculiar record of bloodshed during persecution, as in gladiator fights, belongs to the emperor Trajan. In honor of his victory over the inhabitants of the Balkans, about 11 thousand different animals (elephants, hippos, tigers, horses, lions, giraffes, zebras and many others) were hunted down in the Colosseum.

Beast-baiting, the only bloody action of the era of Ancient Rome, which continued for a long time after the fall of the empire, although on a completely different scale. It is generally accepted that bullfights are rooted in animal baiting.

Naumachia (sea battles)

Naumachia (Greek: Ναυμαχία) was a reconstruction of well-known naval battles, in which the participants, as a rule, were criminals sentenced to death, less often - gladiators. The reconstructions required complete watertightness of the arena and a depth of about two meters. Naumachia were too costly, since the ships and all naval ammunition were extremely expensive, however, the public effect of their holding was colossal.

The first re-enactment of a naval battle in Roman history was funded by Julius Caesar, who wished to celebrate his triumphant military victory in Egypt with a grand spectacle. Caesar's Naumachia was held in a temporary lake dug in the Campus Martius, where a battle was recreated between the Egyptians and the Phoenicians. The performance involved 16 galleys and 2,000 gladiators.

For the first time, naumachia in the Colosseum were placed immediately after the opening. They mostly reenact famous historical battles, such as the Greek victory over the Persians at the naval battle of Salamis, or the defeat of the Spartans in the Aegean in the Corinthian War.

Colosseum today

Having survived all the hardships, the Colosseum has long become a symbol of Rome and one of the most popular tourist sites in Italy. In 2007, the amphitheater was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. In October 2013, restoration work began, which will take place in three stages. As part of this project, at the first stage, dynamic vibrations to which the structure is exposed, being in close proximity to the metro line and the highway, will be monitored. The second stage will be devoted to the restoration of the inner area of ​​the Colosseum and a more comprehensive restoration of the underground facilities under the arena. Restoration work in the third phase will also include the construction of a tourist service center.

Photo gallery

Buying tickets to the Colosseum

Throughout the day, there is a long queue in front of the entrance to the Colosseum, in which you can easily stand for several hours. Therefore, it is better to buy tickets in one of the following ways:

1) the fact is that the Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine have a common ticket. Thus, buying a ticket to the Forum almost without a queue, you calmly go to the Colosseum, which is located relatively close. The ticket is valid for 2 days (each attraction can only be visited once). Ticket price - 12 euros.

2) you can buy an electronic ticket in advance on the site rome-museum.com (the Russian version of the site is available). Such a ticket is also complex (except for the Colosseum, it includes a visit to the Palatine and the Forum). The only inconvenience of an e-ticket is that it is necessary to indicate the date of the visit, which means that your visit will depend on the weather. The ticket is also valid for 2 days, but the price includes a sales commission and is 16 euros. You can also purchase a ticket with an audio guide for 21 euros. As an audio guide, they give out iPods with audio and video clips. After payment, you will receive an e-mail with a purchase notification. The e-ticket itself will come in the next letter a day or two after payment. Attention! The received e-ticket must be printed! The option to display it on the phone screen will not work. Then, when you are on the spot (near the Colosseum), you need to exchange your e-ticket for a standard ticket.

Important! At the beginning of 2014, the Colosseum administration announced the launch of a special application for phones, with which it would be possible to buy tickets, but we do not yet have details. If you know them, we will be grateful for the information provided in the comments.

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schedule

from 02.01 to 15.02 - Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 16:30
from 16.02 to 15.03 - Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 17:00
from 16.03 to 31.03 - Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 17:30
from 01.04 to 31.08 - Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 19:15
from 01.09 to 30.09 - the Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 19:00
from 01.10 to 31.10 - the Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 18:30
from 01.11 to 31.12 - the Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 16:30

Colosseum - the legendary Roman amphitheater, pride, national treasure and magnificent, always and everywhere recognizable, a symbol of beautiful Italy.

general information

The Colosseum is located in the very center of Rome, in a kind of valley, formed by 3: Caelius, Exvilin and Palatine.

The dimensions of the ancient amphitheater are amazing: length - 187 m, width - 155 m, height - 50 m. But it got its name not because of its titanic size, but because once on the square in front of it stood a monumental statue of Nero at 35 m height.

Could stay in the Colosseum from 50 to 83 thousand people(The largest modern stadium, located in the DPRK, can accommodate 150 thousand).

From the time of construction and up to 405 AD. e. in the Colosseum, gladiator fights, hunting for wild animals, theatrical performances and water extravaganzas - navimahia, that is, grandiose shows imitating large-scale naval battles, were arranged.

It is believed that hundreds of the first Christians were tortured to death here, who were considered dangerous rebels and the perpetrators of the decline of the state.

After the collapse of ancient Rome, the Colosseum until the 18th century vegetated in oblivion until it was taken under the patronage of Pope Benedict XIV.

He consecrated the Colosseum as a place of worship for the death of the first Christian martyrs, and built many crosses and altars here. They were removed in 1874 and from that moment they began to restore the Colosseum as a cultural monument.

Currently, it is visited by about 5 million tourists a year, bringing the Italian authorities 50 million euros in revenue. Address: Italy, Rome, Piazza del Colosseo, 1.

Architecture and creators

Construction of the Colosseum in 72 AD started by Emperor Vespasian, who, before his elevation, managed to serve as praetor under Caligula, legate under Claudius and commander under Nero.

After the death of Vespasian in 79, the construction was continued by his son Titus, and after the death of Titus in 81, the construction of the Colosseum was continued and completed by Titus' brother and Vespasian's son, Emperor Domitian.

The name of the architect of the Colosseum is not known for certain, according to some sources, it could be Rabirius - the creator of the palace of Domitian on the Palatine Hill and the Baths of Titus.

From an architectural point of view, the Colosseum is a classic ancient Roman amphitheater in the form of an ellipse, in the middle of which there is an arena surrounded by rings of spectator stands.

The nobility sat on the soft seats of the lower stands, while the mob, women, slaves and foreigners sat on the hard wooden benches of the upper stands. In its heyday, there was a labyrinth under the arena, where wild animals were kept, and the arched openings of the 3rd and 4th tiers were decorated with statues and stucco.

For 20 centuries, the Colosseum burned repeatedly, suffered from earthquakes and was subjected to barbarian raids. In the Middle Ages, its stones were used to build palaces for the nobility and dwellings of ordinary citizens.

In the 20th century the polluted air of Rome contributed to the deplorable state of the great building, vibrations from passing cars and thousands of tourists those who want to take with them a piece of the Colosseum in the form of at least a tiny pebble.

All these factors led to the fact that by the beginning of the 21st century. The Colosseum has lost 2/3 of its original mass, which was 600 thousand tons.

In order to prevent the death of the legendary amphitheater, in December 2013, the Italian authorities decided to start a grandiose restoration of the Colosseum, which may end in June-July 2015.

This did not affect tourists - they can still visit it freely.

Photos and Colosseum on the map

You can admire the Colosseum in photographs, and not get lost a map will help on its vast territory:

How it was built

The Colosseum was erected on the site of the Golden Palace of Nero, almost completely destroyed after the suicide of the scandalous ruler.

A grandiose amphitheater was built with funds captured by Vespasian during the victorious 1st Jewish War for the Romans. After the fall of Jerusalem 100 thousand slaves were delivered to Rome who built the Colosseum.

The walls of the amphitheater are made of travertine, which was mined in the quarries of Trivoli. Large marble blocks were carefully hewn and fastened with steel brackets.

The internal parts of the amphitheater were built of brick and tufa, while the powerful foundation, tiers and vaults were made of ancient Roman concrete, which it is many times more durable than the modern one.

Practical information: opening hours, travel, tickets

Colosseum opening hours:

• last Sunday of October - January 15 - from 9 to 16.30;
• January 16 - March 15 - from 9 to 17;
• March 16 - the last Saturday of March - from 9 to 17.30;
• last Sunday of March - August 31 - from 9 to 19.30;
• in September - 9-19;
• October 1 - last Saturday of October - 9-18.30.

Ticket price: 12 euros for adults, for those under 18 years old, admission is free (subject to availability of relevant documents), audio guide in Russian - 5.5 €, video guide in Russian - 6 euros.

Ticket offices close 1 hour before the amphitheater itself closes. Day off: January 1, December 25.

How to get there:

• metro: Colosseo station, line B (two stops from Termini station);
• buses: 75, 81, 613;
• tram: line 3;
• walk: 12 min. from Termini station along Via Cavour.

If you are going to travel around Rome by metro, check out the directions, costs and schedule of its work in advance.

Don't know where to stay for the night? Meet hotels in the center of Rome with 3, 4 and 5 stars.

Some interesting facts about the great Colosseum may be unknown even to experienced guides:

• Celebrations in honor of the opening of the Colosseum lasted 14 weeks and included sports, gladiator fights and lavish theatrical performances. On the 1st day of opening in the amphitheater, according to various sources, from 5 to 9 thousand wild animals were killed.

  In total, during the existence of the Colosseum, 300 thousand people and 10 million wild animals died in the arena.

• In ancient Rome, it was impossible to simply go and buy tickets to the Colosseum, seats were reserved for various guilds, unions, associations, or a special invitation from an influential person was required.

  Dress uniform was mandatory, for example, men had to wear togas. It was forbidden to drink wine in the stands. Only an all-powerful emperor could break this prohibition.

• Judging by the excavations, in particular those carried out in the Colosseum, the gladiators were vegetarians, but not for ideological reasons.

  Abundant plant foods (barley cakes, bread, beans, vegetables, root crops) allowed them to build up a fatty layer, which served as additional protection during battles.

• In view of the far from brilliant preservation, the “understudy” of the Colosseum in films is often the more miniature, but much better preserved Tunisian amphitheater El Jem. He "replaced" his Roman counterpart in the film "Gladiator".
• The Colosseum was included in the list of 7 new wonders of the world. In this list, he is the only representative of European civilization.

Once covered in blood, the Colosseum now embodies the humanistic values ​​of the new Europe. Usually its backlight is white, but since 2000 it sometimes changes to yellow - this means that somewhere in the world some prisoner had the death penalty commuted to another measure of punishment.

In Italy itself, the death penalty has not been applied since 1947, although it was officially abolished only in 2009 (in the Vatican - in 1969, even for those who attempted on the Pope).

A few simple tips will make a tour of the Colosseum not only informative, but also not burdensome for the wallet:

• It is strongly recommended to purchase the Roma Pass - a special travel card that allows you to use public transport and visit 2 museums for 3 days at no extra charge.
• Roma Pass holders can visit the Colosseum out of turn. Its price for 3 days is 36 euros, for 2 days - 28 euros. You can buy it at train stations (in Italy) or on the website http://www.romapass.it/ (website in English).
• In Italy, as in other countries, E.S. European Heritage Days are held. On such days, admission to museums is either free of charge or will cost 1 euro. For the Heritage Days schedule, please visit http://europeanheritagedays.com.
• Summer is not the best time to visit both Rome and the Colosseum due to the heat and the seasonal influx of tourists. If possible, worth going there in late autumn or winter.
• In order not to suffer in endless lines, you should come either strictly by 9 am or in the afternoon.

Video of the Colosseum

For those who still doubt whether to go to Rome, help you make the right decision video with the beauties of the Colosseum:

For 20 centuries, the Colosseum has not lost any splendor or grandeur, and continues to excite the imagination and hearts of both the Italians themselves and millions of admiring tourists.

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