Though not the earliest amphitheatre in Rome, the Colosseum (or Flavian Amphitheatre) was certainly the most impressive. After the death of Nero, his magnificent Golden Palace was pulled down by the Flavian Emperors (much to the public's cheering) and the great ornamental lake was back-filled. It is on the site of this lake that the Colosseum was built. Its construction was begun by Vespasian and completed in 80AD, being inaugurated by his son Titus with 100 days of games. Alterations were later made by Nerva, Trajan and Antoninus Pius and it was struck by lightning in 217 AD, following which it was out of commission for many years until repairs were completed by a series of Severan Emperors. The amphitheatre was constructed of brick, faced with marble, and where the outer ring has been destroyed, the brick can be seen, pock-marked with the holes for the metal bars that held the marble in place and also supported decorative and functional ironwork. With 80 entrances and seating for 50,000 spectators, the arena became the centre of Rome's entertainment from the Flavian period until the abolishment of Gladiatorial combat in the 5th century. The seats were organised by rank, with high officials seated closest to the arena, the wealthy classes behind and above them, then the freedmen and women. In its heyday, the entire structure could be covered with a sun or rain-shade called a velarium. The floor of the arena is long gone and the tunnels beneath which contained the gladiators, beasts, slaves and all the workings of the games are now exposed to view from above. This is the largest arena in the Roman world and owes its survival in such good condition to its consecration as holy ground by the Popes. The last gladiatorial games were held here in 404 AD and after the fall of the Western Empire, the Colosseum was gradually quarried away. In the 13th century, the Frangipane family converted the entire structure into a castle. Finally the amphitheatre was consecrated due to the belief that many Christians were martyred in the arena and, under Papal control, quarrying ended.
Three comments to note:
1. This is the ONLY Colosseum. There are many other amphitheatres, but none of them has the name Colosseum. This name is derived from the giant statue of Nero that once stood beside it.
2. It is often believed that the arena of the Colosseum was flooded for mock naval battles. This is entirely untrue. Specially-built ponds were constructed across the tiber for these Naumachia.
3. It is possible that christians were killed in the arena here, though no contemporary details exists as to the location of Christian martydoms. The earliest record in the 12th century puts them in the Circus Flaminius.
The Colosseum is the greatest amphitheatre in the world and by far the most famous. Its remains are impressive and it is one of the most visited monuments in the world. As such it is often difficult to appreciate the structure around the thousands of other tourists. Plan to visit late in the day and it becomes easier and less crowded.
Access: Open daylight hours. A combined ticket is available for the Colosseum and the Palatine. Queuing here takes hours, whereas tickets can be purchased for the two at the Palatine in minutes, allowing the visitor to walk straight past the long queues at the Colosseum and through the turnstyle. Plan on visiting the Palatine first and the Colosseum late in the day and things will be easier.
