Colosseum facts for kids
View from the Palatine, near the metro exit
|
|
  Colosseum
Location in Rome
|
|
| Location | Regio III Isis et Serapis, Rome, Italy |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°53′25″N 12°29′32″E / 41.89028°N 12.49222°E |
| Type | Amphitheatre |
| History | |
| Builder | Vespasian, Titus |
| Founded | AD 70–80 |
The Colosseum is a huge, oval-shaped building in the center of Rome, Italy. It's the biggest ancient amphitheatre ever built. Even today, it's the largest standing amphitheatre in the world. Its construction started in 72 AD under Emperor Vespasian and was finished in 80 AD by his son, Titus. Later, Domitian made more changes. These three emperors were part of the Flavian dynasty. Because of them, the Colosseum was also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre.
The Colosseum is made from travertine limestone, tuff (a type of volcanic rock), and concrete with brick. It could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 people. On average, about 65,000 spectators would watch events there. It was used for gladiatorial fights and other public shows. These included animal hunts, re-enactments of famous battles, and plays based on Roman mythology. For a short time, it even hosted mock sea battles.
The building stopped being used for entertainment in the early medieval period. Over time, it was used for many different things. It became homes, workshops, a fortress, and even a quarry where stones were taken.
Even though earthquakes and stone robbers damaged it a lot, the Colosseum is still a famous symbol of Ancient Rome. It's one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It's also one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions. The Catholic Church has a connection to it too. Every Good Friday, the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession that starts near the Colosseum. You can even see the Colosseum on the Italian version of the 5 euro cent coin.
Contents
What's in a Name?
Originally, this huge building was just called "amphitheatre" in Latin. The name "Flavian Amphitheatre" came later. It honors the Flavian dynasty of emperors who built it. But most people know it as the Colosseum.
The name Colosseum likely comes from a giant statue of Emperor Nero. This statue, called the Colossus of Nero, was moved next to the amphitheatre by Emperor Hadrian. The word colosseum means "gigantic" or "colossal" in Latin. By the year 1000, people started calling the amphitheatre "Colosseum" because of this huge statue nearby.
_-_Roma_-_Interno_del_Colosseo.jpg)
In the 8th century, a writer named Venerable Bede wrote a famous saying. It said: "As long as the Colossus stands, so shall Rome; when the Colossus falls, Rome shall fall; when Rome falls, so falls the world." People often think this quote is about the Colosseum building. But it was actually about the giant Colossus of Nero statue.
The Colossus statue eventually fell, possibly because its bronze was reused. Today, only its base remains, located between the Colosseum and the nearby Temple of Venus and Roma.
History of the Colosseum
Building the Colosseum
The Colosseum was built in a flat valley between three hills in Rome. Before the Colosseum, this area had a lake and a grand palace built by Emperor Nero. After Nero's death, much of his palace was torn down. The lake was filled in to make space for the new amphitheatre. This was a popular move by Emperor Vespasian. He was giving back land that Nero had taken for himself. Unlike many other amphitheatres built outside cities, the Colosseum was placed right in the heart of Rome.
The money for building the Colosseum came from the treasures taken from the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. This happened after the First Jewish–Roman War in 70 AD. An old inscription says that Emperor Vespasian ordered the amphitheatre to be built using "his general's share of the booty." It's thought that Jewish prisoners of war might have helped with the construction. However, there's no clear proof of this. Professional Roman builders, engineers, and artists also worked on the project.
Construction started around 70–72 AD. By the time Vespasian died in 79 AD, the Colosseum was mostly built. His son, Titus, finished the top level in 80 AD. The first games were held in 80 or 81 AD. Records say that over 9,000 wild animals were killed during these opening games. Later, Vespasian's younger son, Emperor Domitian, added the hypogeum. This was a system of underground tunnels for animals and performers. He also added more seating at the very top.
Changes Over Time
In 217 AD, a big fire, possibly caused by lightning, damaged the Colosseum. It took many years to fully repair. More repairs happened in 250 AD and 320 AD.
Gladiatorial fights were banned in 399 AD and again in 404 AD. The last mention of these fights is around 435 AD. Animal hunts continued until at least 523 AD. The building was repaired several times after earthquakes in the 5th century.
The Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, the Colosseum was used for different purposes. By the late 500s, a small chapel was built inside. The arena itself became a cemetery. The arched spaces under the seats were turned into homes and workshops. Around 1200, a powerful family, the Frangipani family, took over the Colosseum and used it as a castle.
A major earthquake in 1349 caused a large part of the outer wall to collapse. Much of the fallen stone was then used to build other palaces, churches, and hospitals in Rome. People also took stones from the interior. Marble was burned to make lime. Iron clamps that held the stones together were removed, leaving holes you can still see today.
Modern Era
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Church leaders tried to find new uses for the Colosseum. Pope Sixtus V wanted to turn it into a wool factory, but he died before it happened. In 1671, there was a plan for bullfights, but public outcry stopped it.
In 1749, Pope Benedict XIV declared the Colosseum a sacred site. He believed early Christians had been killed there. He stopped people from taking stones from it and set up Stations of the Cross inside. This made it a Christian shrine. However, historians don't have strong evidence that many Christians were martyred specifically in the Colosseum.
Later popes worked to stabilize and restore the building. They removed plants that were damaging the walls. The outer walls were reinforced in the early 1800s. The interior was repaired several times in the 1800s and 1930s. The underground area (hypogeum) was fully uncovered in the 1930s.
Today, the Colosseum is one of Rome's most visited tourist spots. Millions of people visit it every year. Between 1993 and 2000, a big restoration project took place to clean and repair the building.
The Colosseum has also become a symbol against the death penalty. When a death sentence is changed or abolished somewhere in the world, the Colosseum's night lights change from white to gold.
Because of its ruined state, the Colosseum can't host huge events inside. But large concerts have been held just outside it, using the Colosseum as a beautiful backdrop. Famous performers like Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Billy Joel have played there.
What Does it Look Like?
Outside the Colosseum
Unlike many Roman theaters built into hillsides, the Colosseum stands completely on its own. It's shaped like an oval. It is about 189 meters (615 feet) long and 156 meters (510 feet) wide. The outer wall is 48 meters (157 feet) high.
The outer wall was built using over 100,000 cubic meters of travertine stone. These stones were held together by 300 tons of iron clamps, without mortar. Over the centuries, earthquakes caused large parts of this wall to collapse. The northern side of the outer wall is still standing today. The rest of what you see on the outside is actually the original inner wall.
The surviving outer wall has three levels of arches. These arches are decorated with different styles of columns: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The arches on the second and third floors likely held statues of gods and heroes from Classical mythology.
At the very top, there were 240 brackets that held a retractable awning called the velarium. This giant canvas roof protected spectators from the sun and rain. Sailors from the Roman navy were specially trained to operate this huge awning.
The Colosseum was designed to be filled and emptied quickly. It had 80 entrances at ground level. Seventy-six of these were for regular spectators. Each entrance and staircase was numbered. The main northern entrance was for the Emperor and his guests. The other three main entrances were likely for important people.
Spectators received tickets made of pottery shards. These tickets told them which section and row to go to. They entered their seats through passageways called vomitoria. These allowed people to get to their seats quickly and exit in just a few minutes in an emergency.
Inside the Colosseum
.jpg)
Modern experts believe the Colosseum could hold about 50,000 people. Seating was arranged in tiers, showing the different social classes in Roman society.
- Special boxes at the north and south ends were for the Emperor and the Vestal Virgins. These had the best views.
- Below them was a wide platform for the senators. They could bring their own chairs.
- The next level up was for the noble class, or knights.
- The level above that was for ordinary Roman citizens. It was divided into two parts: a lower part for wealthy citizens and an upper part for poorer citizens.
- Specific areas were set aside for other groups, like boys with their teachers, soldiers, and priests.
- Stone or marble seats were provided for citizens and nobles.
A gallery was added at the very top during Emperor Domitian's rule. This area was for the common poor, slaves, and women. They likely stood or sat on very steep wooden benches. Some groups, like gravediggers and actors, were not allowed in the Colosseum at all.
Each seating tier was divided into sections by curved passages and low walls. These sections were further divided into wedges by steps and aisles. Each row of seats was numbered, so every single seat had a specific location.
The Arena and Underground
.JPG)
The arena floor itself was 83 meters (272 feet) long and 48 meters (157 feet) wide. It was a wooden floor covered with sand. Below it was an elaborate underground structure called the hypogeum (meaning "underground"). The hypogeum was added later by Emperor Domitian.
Today, little of the original arena floor remains, but the hypogeum is clearly visible. It was a two-level network of tunnels and cages. Gladiators and animals were held here before contests. Eighty vertical shafts allowed animals and scenery to be brought up to the arena quickly. Larger platforms could even lift elephants.
The hypogeum was connected by tunnels to other buildings outside the Colosseum. Animals and performers came through tunnels from nearby stables. The gladiators' training school, the Ludus Magnus, was also connected by tunnels. Separate tunnels allowed the Emperor and the Vestal Virgins to enter and exit without going through the crowds.
The hypogeum also had a lot of machinery. Elevators and pulleys raised and lowered scenery and props. They also lifted caged animals to the surface. Some ancient stories say the arena could be quickly flooded for mock sea battles. However, when the hypogeum was built, it stopped the practice of flooding the arena. There is still debate among historians about whether sea battles truly happened there.
Buildings Nearby
The Colosseum had many supporting buildings around it.
- The Ludus Magnus was a training school for gladiators, connected by an underground passage. It had its own small training arena.
- Other training schools included the Ludus Matutinus for animal fighters.
- The Armamentarium stored weapons.
- The Summum Choragium stored machinery.
- The Sanitarium treated wounded gladiators.
- The Spoliarium was where dead gladiators' armor was removed and their bodies disposed of.
Around the Colosseum, there were tall stone posts, with five still remaining on the eastern side. Their purpose is debated. They might have been a religious boundary, a place for ticket checks, or anchors for the velarium awning.
What Was It Used For?
_01.jpg)
The Colosseum hosted gladiatorial shows and many other events. These shows were put on by wealthy individuals, not the state. They were very popular and showed off the power and prestige of families.
Another big attraction was the animal hunt, or venatio. Many different wild animals were used, brought from Africa and the Middle East. These included rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, elephants, giraffes, Barbary lions, panthers, bears, and Caspian tigers. Battles and hunts often took place with elaborate sets, including movable trees and buildings. These events could be huge. For example, Emperor Trajan once celebrated his victories with contests involving 11,000 animals and 10,000 gladiators over 123 days.
During lunch breaks, executions were sometimes staged. People condemned to death would be sent into the arena, unarmed, to face wild animals. Acrobats and magicians also performed during intervals.
In the early days, some ancient writers said the Colosseum was used for mock sea battles. They described it being filled with water for displays of trained swimming animals. There's also a story of a famous sea battle being re-enacted. However, historians debate this. It's unclear how the arena could have been made waterproof, or if there was enough space for warships. It's possible these reports were mistaken about the location, or that the Colosseum had a floodable channel before the underground hypogeum was built.
Sylvae, or recreations of natural scenes, were also held in the arena. Artists and technicians would build a fake forest with real trees and bushes. Then, animals would be brought in. These scenes might just show a natural environment to city people. They could also be used as a backdrop for hunts or plays based on mythology. Sometimes, condemned people would be killed in these scenes, acting out gruesome mythological stories.
The Colosseum Today
In 2010, the underground tunnels of the Colosseum, once used for animals and gladiators, were opened to the public.
The Colosseum is also a site for Roman Catholic ceremonies today. For example, Pope Benedict XVI led the Stations of the Cross procession there on Good Fridays.
Restoration Work
_03.jpg)
In 2011, a shoe company called Tod's agreed to sponsor a €25 million restoration of the Colosseum. The work began in 2013 and was the first full cleaning and repair in the Colosseum's history. The first stage, cleaning the outer walls, was finished in 2016.
The Italian Minister of Culture also announced plans to replace the arena floor by the end of 2018. This new floor will allow for "cultural events of the highest level." The project also includes creating a services center and restoring the galleries and underground spaces. Since November 2017, the top two levels of the Colosseum have been opened for guided tours. The fourth level was a marketplace, and the fifth level was where the poorest citizens watched the shows.
Christian Significance
Many Christians believe the Colosseum was a place where many early Christians were martyred. This idea comes from Church history and tradition. However, some scholars think that most Christian martyrdoms in Rome happened in other places, like the Circus Maximus. They say that while some Christians were executed in the Colosseum for not worshiping Roman gods, there isn't much physical evidence or historical records to prove large-scale martyrdoms there.
In the Middle Ages, the Colosseum was not seen as a sacred place. Stones were taken from it to build other sites. This suggests it wasn't considered a holy site at that time.
Pope Pius V (1566–1572) reportedly suggested pilgrims collect sand from the arena as a holy relic. A century later, a book listed the Colosseum as a sacred place for martyrs. This book influenced public opinion. In response to a plan to use the Colosseum for bullfights, a protest pamphlet was published. This led Pope Clement X to declare the Colosseum a sanctuary.
Later, Pope Benedict XIV (1740–1758) forbade quarrying the Colosseum and set up Stations of the Cross around the arena. Several 19th-century popes funded repairs. Today, a Christian cross stands in the Colosseum with a plaque. It states that the amphitheater, once for pagan worship, is now dedicated to the sufferings of martyrs. Every Good Friday, the Pope leads a Via Crucis procession to the amphitheater.
Plants at the Colosseum
.jpg)
The Colosseum has a long history of plants growing on its ruins. The first list of its plants was made in 1643. Since then, 684 different plant species have been found there. At one point in 1855, there were 420 species.
In 1871, people tried to remove the plants because they were damaging the stone. But many of them grew back. Today, 242 species have been counted. About 200 of the species first identified in 1643 are still there.
The variety of plants can be explained by changes in Rome's climate over centuries. Also, bird migration, flower blooming, and Rome's growth have played a role. The city grew around the Colosseum, bringing new seeds. Seeds were also carried there by animals brought from all over the Roman Empire.
Gallery
-
The Colosseum in 2021
-
The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine, seen from Palatine Hill
-
Interior
-
Interior
-
The Colosseum at night
-
Seating tiers at the east entrance
-
The Colosseum in 2013
.jpg)
.jpg)
,_Kolosseum_--_2013_--_3400.jpg)
See also
- List of Roman amphitheatres
- List of tallest structures built before the 20th century
- List of tourist attractions in Rome
- Roman amphitheatre
- Stadium of Domitian
