Emperor Vespasian, who ascended the throne of the Roman Empire in 69 AD, spent enormous amounts of money on the restoration of religious buildings (such as, for example, the Capitol). But in 72, he decided to take on a more ambitious project and commissioned the best builders in the region to build the Flavian amphitheater, which would forever leave the mark of his dynasty in world culture. Vespasian also had an ulterior motive. The foundation of the Colosseum was laid on the site of a lake near the Golden House of Nero, the predecessor and enemy of the new ruler. Such construction completely erased traces of its existence from the map of Rome.
According to historians, about 100 thousand workers took part in the construction of the amphitheater, most of whom were prisoners of war and slaves. After eight years of grueling and non-stop work, the Colosseum was completely completed and approved by the emperor.
During the first centuries of its existence, the building really occupied a huge place in the life of the Romans and always reminded them of its founder, since until the 8th century it was called the Flavian amphitheater. Gladiator fights, animal battles and festive performances were regularly held here. Except entertainment events, executions were also carried out here, which served as the reason for the cessation of use of the Colosseum by Emperor Constantine I. Throughout the Middle Ages, this religious building was either completely ignored by the authorities, or was used as a memorial place in honor of the early Christians who died martyrdom. All this led to the fact that until the 18th century, no one thought about the need for reconstruction and restoration of the Colosseum, and many of its parts were irretrievably destroyed.
At the end of the 19th century, the Catholic Church decided to resume work around the amphitheater in order to preserve as many of the surviving elements as possible. Thanks to this change in attitude towards the monument, the Colosseum began to attract the attention of historians, architects and art historians, who over the course of several decades were able to turn the once forgotten building into a symbol of European civilization.
In 2007, the New Open World Corporation held a competition in which residents around the world were able to vote and choose those structures that, in their opinion, deserve the title of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The first place was taken by the Colosseum, which became the only attraction on the list that represents the heritage of European culture.
Night panorama of the ColosseumStructure and architecture of the Colosseum
According to approximate estimates of scientists, the modern Colosseum represents only one third of the original building, but even this fact does not in any way detract from the greatness of the structure. At the beginning of our era, when all the inhabitants of Rome flocked to the Colosseum to watch the next gladiator fight or theatrical performance, 50 thousand spectators could easily fit in the seats around the arena, and up to 18 thousand could watch the performances while standing. These days, the capacity of the Colosseum is much smaller, but this does not stop thousands of guests from coming to the iconic place.
An ingenious solution that significantly lightened the construction: 240 huge arches in three tiers, externally lined with travertine, surround a concrete-brick ellipse, the length of the walls of which is 524 m, width - 156 m, height - 57 m. This was a revolution in world construction: the invention of concrete and terracotta bricks. About 1 million pieces were required for the Colosseum building.
Panoramic viewThe fourth continuous tier was added later. Today, on its cornice you can see holes where supports were inserted to quickly stretch a huge awning over the arena and amphitheater. It protected spectators from rain and scorching sun. On the pavement of the Colosseum you can see pillars, the purpose of which is still controversial. According to one version, tent ropes were additionally attached to them; according to another, the 5 remaining pedestals served as turnstiles to contain and organize the crowd.
Inside the ancient amphitheater there were vaulted galleries - places for spectators to rest and for brisk trade. At first glance, there are so many “leaky” arches that they resemble numerous honeycombs in a bee hive, but at the same time there is no monotony among them. Each one turns out to be at a slightly different angle both to the sun and to the viewer, so the shadows fall on the arches differently. Please note - they are uniform, but not ordinary!
The first tier of the Colosseum contains 76 spans through which one could enter the amphitheater. Above them you can still see Roman numerals for numbering the entrances. Such an atypically large number of arches made it possible to significantly increase the capacity of the amphitheater - if necessary, spectators could leave the Colosseum in 5-10 minutes. There are no buildings with such an architectural organization anywhere in the world today!
Another interesting idea to facilitate the construction of the Colosseum were supports of different styles, which, in addition to protecting against collapse, made the structure look more airy. In the first tier, the heaviest, made of stone, there are half-columns of the Doric order, in the second (concrete) - Ionic, and on the third - Corinthian, with elegant capitals decorated with foliage.
It was believed that the openings of the second and third tiers were decorated with statues made of white marble. However, not a single one of them was found, which caused historians to debate whether they actually existed or were only in the project.
Upper tier of the ColosseumThe elliptical shape of the arena did not give either gladiators or doomed animals a chance to hide from the bloodshed by huddling in a corner. The floor of the arena was paved with boards, which were easily removed when it was necessary to fill the place where the naval battles were being performed with water. Slave cells, animal cages and other service rooms were built later, in the basement under the arena, as well as very complex system a turning stage and other devices that created special effects during performances. Most of interior decoration not preserved. However, despite the destruction, you can get a good look at the structure of the premises under the arena. It is possible that the animals, gladiators and backstage members were lifted into the arena by freight elevators.
It's interesting that for a long time tourists visited the amphitheater exclusively at night to admire the beautiful lighting of the building. But scientists wanted to restore the Colosseum’s historical glory and developed exciting sightseeing tours. With their stories, the guides try to immerse listeners as much as possible in the atmosphere of bygone times, when the foundation of the Flavian amphitheater was just being laid, thereby allowing them to see something more than ancient ruins.
Meal'n'Real!
Still from the series "Spartak"Panem et circenses, “bread and circuses” - this is the motto of the grandiose amphitheater in the city center for centuries! People not only wanted to be well-fed: they craved entertainment. And the Colosseum provided them with a rich program of mortal combat and bloody carnage.
The first recorded protest against violent arena performances dates back to 404 AD, when the monk Telemachus jumped up from his seat on the podium screaming, demanding that the fight be called off. Enraged spectators stoned him to death. The last gladiator fights and baiting of animals were staged in 523, after which the Colosseum fell into disrepair. In the 7th century one monk wrote: “As long as the Colosseum stands, Rome stands. The Colosseum will fall and Rome will fall with it.”
Video: Aria – Colosseum
Opening hours and ticket prices
More recently, the approach to the Colosseum was opened all day long. But the authorities of the Italian capital realized that this could negatively affect the condition of the building and hastened to install security. The amphitheater is now open only for daytime visits from 9:00 to 19:00 in summer time(April-October) and from 9:00 to 16:00 in winter (November-March). But don’t despair if you weren’t able to get here during daylight hours, because in this case the city planners decorated the outer walls with beautiful illumination, which is the highlight of Rome at night.
There are only two days off per year when tourists cannot visit the attraction - December 25 and January 1.
Entrance and excursion program will cost 12 € for an adult visitor and 7 € for a child (+2 € for exhibition events). Schoolchildren, students and pensioners have the opportunity to purchase a discounted ticket, but to do this they must have the appropriate documents with them. The purchase itself can be a little problematic. The fact is that most tourists decide to pay for admission at the walls of the Colosseum itself, which is why long lines form at the ticket office by 10:00.
If you want to save your time and money, order tickets on the complex’s website or purchase them at pre-sale points. In the latter case, you can obtain a document that allows you to visit several attractions at once.
Order online – www.pierreci.it (service available in Italian and English languages) and www.ticketdic.it (available in Italian, English and French) - 10.50€, 12.50€ (with exhibition). A single ticket - with the Palatine Museum, the Roman Forum - is valid for 24 hours from the date of purchase.
Information center phone number: 399 67 700.
How to get to the Colosseum
Most often, international flights land at Leonardo da Vinci Airport, which all Italians call Fiumicino. It is located 20 km from Rome itself, but this short distance not that easy to overcome given the intensity traffic towards the capital of Italy.
Very often, tourists travel from the airport to the city by train, which departs from one of the terminals. The ticket costs 14 euros and the journey takes about 35 minutes. But in this case, it is worth considering that you will only get to the city station, from which you will have to go to the hotel by another means of transport.
If you are traveling in a large group, the most logical thing to do would be to take a taxi near the airport. These are white cars with the signature “Comune di Roma”, which are the property of the city, which means they have fixed tariffs. The minimum cost of the trip is 40 €, and then depends on the location of the hotel.
In addition, several bus companies operate regular services from the airport to various parts cities. The cost of a trip on such transport can vary from 9 € to 20 €, so it is worth familiarizing yourself with the price list in advance on the website of the company you are interested in.
Once you're finally in Rome, getting to the Colosseum isn't too difficult. The majestic amphitheater is located at the Colosseo metro station of the same name in the very center of the city. The ticket price is 1€ and allows you to travel by underground transport for 75 minutes.
Bus numbers going to the Colosseum: 60, 75, 81, 85, 117, 175, 271, 571, 673, 810, 850. There is also tram number 3.
Address: Piazza del Colosseo.
The world's most famous ruin, the hallmark of ancient Rome, the Colosseum may never have been built if Vespasian had not decided to eradicate traces of the reign of his predecessor Nero. As part of this program, on the site of the pond with swans that decorated the Golden Palace, a grand amphitheater for 70,000 spectators was erected - the largest circus in the Empire. The games in honor of its opening (in 80 AD) continued non-stop for 100 days; During this time, 2,000 gladiators and 5,000 wild animals tore each other to pieces and slaughtered them. Our review contains the most interesting and little-known facts about one of the main attractions of Rome.
1. Colosseum - "Flavian amphitheater"
The Colosseum was built around 70 AD. Emperor Vespasian, and it was discovered by his son Titus in 80 AD. Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian (who reigned 81-96) belonged to the Flavian dynasty. Therefore, the Colosseum was often called the “Flavian amphitheater”.
2. Giant statue of Nero at the Colosseum
Nero, who went down in history for his despotism and the murder of his family, ordered the construction of a giant bronze statue in his honor near the site where the Colosseum was later built. The statue was made on the model of the Colossus of Rhodes, its height exceeded 30 meters, and it was named the Colossus of Nero. It is because of this statue that the Colosseum got its name.
3. The Colosseum was built on the site of a former lake
Nero's pleasure palace, the so-called "Golden House" (Domus Aurea), was built after a fire in 64 (a number of buildings in Rome burned down and many were vacated free space). There was an artificial lake near the palace. After Nero's suicide in 68 and a short period of civil war, Vespasian became emperor in 69, after which the Golden House was destroyed. In its place the Baths of Trajan were built. The lake was filled in, and the Colosseum began to be built in its place.
4. The Colosseum was built in just 10 years
After the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, Vespasian used some of the spoils from the Temple of Jerusalem to begin work on an amphitheater for Roman citizens. Although Vespasian died before construction was completed, his son Titus completed the Colosseum.
5. The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever built
The Colosseum was built from concrete and stone, unlike most amphitheaters of the time, which were simply dug into the hillsides. The elliptical structure is 188 meters long, 155 meters wide and 48 meters high, making it the largest amphitheater in the world.
6. The amphitheater had sectors for different classes
Although the Colosseum was intended for all Roman citizens, both rich and poor, spectators were seated in different sectors based on their social status and welfare.
7. The Colosseum could seat 50,000 people
The width of each seat was about 35 centimeters, but there was always excitement during gladiator fights.
8. Fights between gladiators were carefully planned
For more than four centuries, thousands of slaves, prisoners of war, criminals, ex-servicemen and even volunteers fought in the Colosseum for the entertainment of the Romans. The fights were not chaotic at all, but somewhat similar to modern boxing - gladiators were carefully classified according to their height, strength, experience, skill level and fighting style.
9. The Colosseum became a cemetery for thousands of animals
Along with fighting between humans, the Romans also fought with animals such as elephants, tigers, lions, bears, hippopotamuses, etc. During the opening ceremony of the Colosseum, 9,000 animals were killed, and during the 123-day festival held by Emperor Trajan , 11,000 animals died.
10. Naval battles were held in the Colosseum
Before the underground floor was built during Domitian's time to house equipment, animals, fighters and workers of the Colosseum, the arena was periodically flooded to a depth of about a meter to stage naval battles (naumachia). A special aqueduct was used to supply water.
11. The building has been abandoned for centuries
After gladiatorial combat lost its appeal and the Roman Empire fell in the 5th century, the Colosseum ceased to be the site of major public events and was subsequently partially destroyed by an earthquake and lightning strike. It was abandoned until the 18th century, when the Catholic Church decided that such a site should be preserved.
12. The Colosseum was partially stolen for construction materials
The beautiful marble used in the Colosseum attracted looters and builders who began removing stone from the former amphitheater to build St. John's Basilica, the Lateran Basilica, the Palazzo Venezia, and numerous other projects.
13. They wanted to set up a wool factory in the Colosseum
The hypogeum (underground floor) was eventually filled with dirt and earth, and over the centuries the Romans planted their vegetable gardens there and used the space for cellars, while blacksmiths and merchants used the vaulted passages above. Pope Sixtus V, who helped rebuild Rome in the late 16th century, planned to rebuild the Colosseum into a wool factory. But after the death of Sixtus in 1590, this project was abandoned.
14. The most attractive place in Rome for tourists
Along with the Vatican and its shrines, the Colosseum is the second most visited site in Italy and the most visited monument in Rome. About six million tourists visit the amphitheater every year. A two-day ticket to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill costs 12 euros (about $13).
15. The Colosseum was partially restored
Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini announced a $20 million renovation of the Colosseum that will include rebuilding the arena floor. And in 2013, billionaire Diego Della Valle committed $33 million to renovate the Colosseum, which included repairing the arches, cleaning the marble, restoring the brick walls, replacing metal railings, and building a new visitor center and cafe.
Once in Italy, it is worth visiting, free entry to which was opened not so long ago.
Many historical monuments have been preserved, but the most extraordinary of them is the Colosseum, in which people doomed to death desperately fought and died for the entertainment of free citizens of Rome. It became the largest and most famous of all Roman amphitheatres, and one of the greatest masterpieces of Roman engineering and architecture that has survived to this day. The building had 80 entrances and exits and could seat approximately 50,000 spectators - more than most sports venues today, a testament to its greatness almost 2,000 years after its completion. Having eclipsed with its grandeur the ruins of the Roman Forum (the central square in Ancient Rome), the Pantheon and other attractions of the city, the Roman Colosseum will forever remind visitors of the inhuman past, when the thirst for blood brought spectators to the stands of this building, and nothing excited them so much as deprivation person of life.
The Colosseum is Italy's most famous and most visited tourist attraction, the world's largest structure built during the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the greatest structures in the world of engineering and architecture, an iconic symbol of the Roman Empire during its greatest period of power, and the most famous and instantly recognizable monument preserved from antiquity. Even in today's world of skyscrapers, the Colosseum is impressive. It is a glorious and at the same time mournful monument to Roman imperial power and its cruelty. Inside, behind close-knit rows of arches and columns, the Romans for centuries coolly watched the murder of tens of thousands of condemned criminals, captured warriors, slaves, and animals. Almost two thousand years later, it still attracts great interest from visitors.
History of the Colosseum
The Colosseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre. Its modern name (Colosseum in English) is derived from the word colossus, meaning a huge statue (next to the Colosseum stood a huge statue of Nero, which disappeared without a trace in the Middle Ages). As you should big city empire, it became the largest amphitheater in the Roman world, capable of seating 50,000 spectators. In total, there were more than 250 of them in the Roman Empire - it is not surprising that the amphitheater and associated spectacles were the main symbols of Roman culture.
Unlike most other amphitheatres, located on the outskirts of the city, the Colosseum was built in the very center of Rome. It was the product of the uncontrollable extravagance of the Roman emperor Vespasian (69-79), who decided to strengthen his position by building an amphitheater at the expense of the huge booty obtained as a result of suppressing the Jewish uprising. The construction, which began in 72, was completed by Emperor Titus in 80. The grand opening of the Colosseum was accompanied by gladiator fights, hunting wild animals and naumachia (reproduction of a naval battle in a flooded arena), the games continued for 97 days.
Emperor Domitian (81-96) significantly modernized the structure, built a series of underground tunnels in which animals and gladiators were kept before entering the arena, and also added a fourth tier, significantly increasing the capacity.
Unlike a circle, the elliptical shape of the Colosseum, measuring 83x48 meters, prevented fighting gladiators from retreating into a corner and gave spectators the opportunity to be closer to the action. This design has been inherited by almost every modern sports facility in the world.
The Colosseum's honeycomb structure of arches, passages and staircases allowed thousands of people to easily take their seats and watch the deadly spectacle. It is strikingly different from most ancient public buildings, inherited from classic model Greek temples with their rectangular rows of columns topped with pediments.
History of the Colosseum after construction
With the spread of Christianity, the killing of people within the walls of the amphitheater stopped, and the last hunt for animals took place around 523. But main reason What put an end to the games was the military and financial crisis of the western part of the empire, accompanied by numerous barbarian invasions. The amphitheater required enormous expenses for organizing the games, and in the absence of them, the need for the existence of the Colosseum disappeared.
With the glory of imperial Rome having sunk into history, the purpose of the Colosseum has changed. No longer a place for entertainment, it was used as a home, a fortress and a religious monastery in different time. It ceased to serve as an arena for the entertainment of bloodthirsty Roman citizens, and began to suffer from earthquakes and the barbaric attitude of the people, who stripped off the rich marble cladding and bricks to build palaces and churches. The famous Cathedrals of St. Peter and St. John the Baptist on the Lateran Hill, Palazzo Venezia were built using brick and marble from the Colosseum. As a result of 2000 years of wars, earthquakes, vandalism and the inexorable action of time, two thirds of the original structure was destroyed. All that remains of the former glory of the Colosseum is a shadow of its former appearance, the famous ruins. The amphitheater's reputation as a sacred place where Christian martyrs met their fate saved the Colosseum from complete destruction (but the legend that Christians were sacrificed to lions here is considered unfounded by historians).
In 1749, Pope Benedict XIV declared the Colosseum a public church. From that moment on, the barbaric removal of stones from the walls of the amphitheater finally stopped. The building began to be restored, and since then reconstruction has continued intermittently until today.
Organization of games at the Colosseum
Invented in the Roman Empire, the amphitheater served as a venue for spectacular fights, the most popular of which were venationes (animal hunting) and munera (gladiator fights). In the first years after the opening of the Colosseum, naumachia (sea battles) was extremely popular. The Roman ruling class was obliged, according to the generally accepted concepts of the time, to organize spectacles in order to earn the respect and favor of ordinary citizens of the empire and to maintain public peace. All free citizens of Rome had the right to visit the amphitheater.
Organizing the games required enormous costs and was regulated by numerous laws. In the first century AD, the emperors created the Ratio a muneribus, something like a “Ministry of Games,” which had the necessary financial resources to organize games.
For the Romans, visiting the Colosseum became not only a way of relaxation and entertainment, but also a meeting place for people belonging to different classes. Roman society was divided into classes, and the amphitheater became a place where the public could meet and even address the emperor.
Gladiators
Gladiators usually became prisoners of war who did not have any rights under Roman law, whose lives were of no value to the state, slaves and criminals sentenced to death. Prisoners of war were trained in gladiator schools for performances in the arena of the Colosseum and other amphitheaters. When there was a shortage of gladiators, runaway slaves began to be sent to schools. They fought on a common basis, and after three years they stopped their performances in the arena. This distinguished the slaves from the condemned criminals who fought in the Colosseum without any hope of survival, like those condemned to ad bestias (to be torn to pieces by wild beasts) or ad gladium ludi damnati (condemned to death by the sword). In the latter case, one armed gladiator killed a disarmed enemy, then he himself found himself disarmed and became the victim of another armed gladiator, and so on, until the last convicted criminal remained.
Beginning in the first century AD, free citizens of Rome (auctorati) voluntarily became gladiators and fought in the Colosseum arena as professionals. These free citizens began their gladiator careers by submitting completely to Lanista's demands. Lanista in the Roman world was considered the most disgusting profession (even below pimps or executioners), had the right of life and death over gladiators, who were required to take an oath of complete obedience as mandatory condition admission to school. The gladiator swore to "suffer punishment with a whip, a brand, or accept death by the sword." Such terrible punishments were intended to suppress any hint of disobedience and instilled the belief that overcoming any challenge was the only means of their survival. The public demanded professional spectacles, so training took several years before entering the arena. On last stage During the existence of the Roman Empire, about half of all gladiators were free citizens of Rome.
The gladiators who fought in the arena of the Colosseum were armed equally: a warrior better equipped with offensive weapons had fewer means of defense, or vice versa. The fighting techniques adhered to the traditional battle script, the fight was a show of skill well known to the public, who expected a professional performance. Spectators could approve or disapprove of the gladiators' maneuvers, as we do today when we watch sport games, for example, football. The public did not tolerate monotony and imitation, and highly valued courage and displays of bravery.
In 73 BC, about 70 gladiators under the leadership of Spartacus fled from the school of Capua, created an army of 90,000 people, and for three years the largest slave uprising raged on the territory of the Roman Empire. After the rebellion was suppressed, the Roman Senate took measures to avoid such incidents. A garrison of soldiers stood near each school, delivering weapons there every morning and taking them back in the evening. In case of the slightest disturbance, the soldiers intervened immediately. Schools were considered quite safe, so they were located inside cities. Those held in custody could not escape, and they could only hope to save their lives by fighting valiantly in the arena of the Colosseum in order to attract the attention of influential aristocrats, gain their sympathy and gain their freedom.
Visit to the Colosseum
Games at the Colosseum were considered the privilege of only free citizens (slaves were not allowed), but tickets were not sold for them. Various communities, fraternities, partnerships, leagues, unions, associations and the like had reserved seats in the amphitheater in accordance with their role and rank in society. Those who were not members of any society tried to find a patron and get a place from him on the basis of an invitation. This tradition has been followed throughout long period time. Not only in the amphitheater, but also in the circus or theater, each category of citizens was provided with certain places.
All spectators were required to dress appropriately: male citizens must wear a toga. Citizens who did not enjoy a good reputation - bankrupt, depraved or wasteful persons - sat together with the plebs in the upper ranks. In ancient times, even single women were allowed access to the Colosseum. Drinking alcohol in the stands was prohibited; the writer Lampridius criticized Emperor Commodus when he sometimes drank alcohol.
On game day, spectators arrived very early, and some even slept in the Coliseum. To enter the room, spectators presented a tessera (invitation). Tessera was a small plate or cube of marble, which, like today's tickets, indicated the exact location of its owner (sector, row, place). Each seat in the stands had a number. People were sitting on wooden boards, installed on marble stones, and the Roman aristocracy sat on more comfortable soft seats. The poor, including women, were located on the top tier.
Spectators walked to their seats through arches marked with numbers I - LXXVI (1-76). The four main entrances were not numbered. Best places were on or behind a podium raised for safety reasons 5 meters above the arena.
Modern scholars argue that the layout of the sites reflected the social hierarchy of Roman society. The two lowest tiers (that is, the most prestigious) stands could accommodate 2,000 and 12,000 spectators, respectively. On the upper tiers of the Colosseum, spectators were crowded together like sardines in a can, each of them having an average of 40x70 cm of space.
The Colosseum arena was covered with a 15 cm thick layer of sand (the Latin word for sand is spelled “arena”), sometimes painted red to hide the spilled blood. And, as seen in Ridley Scott's film "Gladiator", holes opened from below, from where wild animals were released into the arena.
Naumachia
Navachia was a reproduction of famous naval battles, the participants of which, as a rule, were criminals sentenced to death, and sometimes simply trained warriors and sailors. Such shows (mostly held in Rome) were extremely expensive. The ships were no different from warships and maneuvered in battle like real ones. The Romans called such spectacles navalia proelia (sea battles), but they became famous Greek word naumachia (naumachia) - a term indicating that the spectacle takes place in a specially equipped place.
Naumachia often tried to recreate famous historical battles, such as the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Salamis, or the destruction of the Athenian fleet at Aegospotami. During the show, the sequence of events was followed historical events, and the spectators received great pleasure from the skill of the warriors and their equipment.
Sources claim that the naumachia was staged in the Colosseum immediately after the grand opening of the amphitheater. During the reign of Emperor Domitian (81-96), a system of tunnels was built under the arena and the naumachia was abolished.
Animal hunting
Hunting scenes were extremely popular in the Colosseum and other amphitheaters of the empire. This was the only chance for the Romans to see wild animals unfamiliar to them in those days. At the very beginning, hunting for wild animals was demonstrated in the morning, as a prelude to gladiatorial battles. In the last period of the republic, hunting in the arena was organized in broad daylight, sometimes lasting several days. All types of wild animals - elephants, bears, bulls, lions, tigers - were captured throughout the empire, transported and kept for the day of the games.
To ensure the safety of spectators in the Colosseum, the height of the fence around the arena was 5 meters. Most of the pairings were classic: lion versus tiger, bull or bear. Sometimes the pairs were clearly unequal: dogs or lions were released on deer, in this case the outcome was predictable. To break the monotony, the Romans resorted to strange combinations of animals: bear versus python, crocodile versus lion, seal versus bear, and so on. Sometimes the animals were chained to the Colosseum arena to prevent them from maneuvering.
Most martial arts were animals against trained men (venatores) armed with spears. Animal hunting has become extremely popular among wealthy citizens. The venatores involved in this type of fighting became so famous that their names can still be read on some mosaics and graffiti.
A huge number of wild animals died in the Colosseum arena (sources say that 9,000 animals were killed in the first days of opening alone). Even if this figure is exaggerated, we can confidently say that large quantities animals that died for fun in the arenas of Roman amphitheaters. Bears were captured in Caledonia (Scotland) and Pannonia (now Hungary and Austria); lions and panthers - in the province of Numidia in Africa (currently Algeria and Tunisia), tigers in Persia, crocodiles and rhinoceroses in India.
Capturing animals and transporting them in good condition over thousands of kilometers was extremely expensive. The animals had to be caught alive, and this posed the main danger. The animals were caught in traps, put in cages, and fed all the way to their destination to ensure they arrived in good condition. The hunt for large animals is reflected in numerous mosaics and paintings depicting the search, capture, transportation, and finally the kill. The costs were enormous, so the provinces of the Roman Empire were subject to special taxes so that Rome could organize hunting in the amphitheater arenas.
Tourism
Today the Colosseum is Rome's main tourist attraction, welcoming millions of tourists every year. Thanks to the reconstruction carried out in 2010, for the first time in modern history The amphitheater opens to the public the underground tunnels in which once shackled gladiators waited to enter the arena. Also restored and reopened (for the first time since 1970) was the third tier of the Colosseum, from where Rome's middle class watched the desperate battles in the arena. Tours are for groups of 25 people and must be booked in advance. The wooden walkway in the center that you see in the last photo is the result of the latest renovation.
Although the Colosseum has lost its former grandeur, it is still used for various events. From time to time the Pope holds services here. Famous performers held their concerts under the shadow of the ancient monument: Paul McCartney, Elton John, Ray Charles, Billy Joel. On July 7, 2007, it was included in the list of one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the only European nominee.
They are deservedly called the “Coat of Arms of Rome”, because despite the vandalism and prolonged destruction to which historical monument, it also makes a huge impression on those who were able to see the Colosseum for the first time.
History of the Colosseum
One of the most famous buildings in the world, distinctive sign of ancient Rome, the Colosseum might never have been built if Vespasian had not decided to destroy traces of the reign of his predecessor Nero. For this, on the site of the pond with swans that decorated the courtyard of the Golden Palace, a majestic amphitheater was built that could accommodate 70,000 spectators.
In honor of the opening, in 80 AD, games were held that lasted 100 days and during which 5,000 wild animals and 2,000 gladiators were killed. Despite this, the memory of the previous emperor was not so easy to erase: officially the new arena was called the Flavian Amphitheater, but in history it was remembered as the Colosseum. Apparently, the name refers not to its own dimensions, but to the giant statue of Nero in the form of the Sun God, reaching 35 meters in height.
Colosseum in Ancient Rome
For a long time, the Colosseum was for the residents of Rome and visitors a place of entertainment events, such as animal persecution, gladiator fights and naval battles.
The games began in the morning with a parade of gladiators. The Emperor and his family watched the action from the front row; Senators, consuls, vestals and priests sat nearby. A little further away sat the Roman nobility. In the next rows sat the middle class; after that, the marble benches gave way to covered galleries with wooden benches. On the top sat plebeians and women, and on the next sat slaves and foreigners.
The performance began with clowns and cripples: they also fought, but not seriously. Sometimes women appeared for archery competitions. And then came the turn of animals and gladiators. The battles were incredibly brutal, but the Christians in the arena Colosseum not tormented. Only 100 years after the recognition of Christianity, games began to be prohibited, and animal battles continued until the 6th century.
It was believed that Christians were periodically executed in the Colosseum, but subsequent research indicates that this was an invented myth Catholic Church. During the reign of Emperor Macrinus, the amphitheater was badly damaged due to fire, but was soon restored by order of Alexander Severus.
Emperor Philip in 248 still celebrated Colosseum millennium of Rome with grandiose performances. In 405, Honorius banned gladiator fights as being inconsistent with Christianity, which had become the dominant religion of the Roman Empire after the reign of Constantine the Great. Despite this, animal persecution continued to take place in the Colosseum until the death of Theodoric the Great. Afterwards, sad times came for the Flavian Amphitheater.
Coliseum destruction
The barbarian invasions left the Colosseum in disrepair and marked the beginning of its gradual destruction. From the 11th century until 1132, it served as a fortress for influential Roman families who disputed power over their fellow citizens, especially the Frangipani and Annibaldi families. The latter were forced to cede the amphitheater to Emperor Henry VII, who, in turn, donated it to the Senate and people.
In 1332, the local aristocracy still organized bullfights here, but from then on the destruction of the Colosseum began. They began to look at it as a source of building materials. Not only fallen stones, but also specially broken stones were used for the construction of new structures. So, in the XV and 16th centuries Pope Paul II used material from the Colosseum for the construction of the Venetian palace, and Cardinal Riario for the palace of the chancellery, as did Paul III for the Palazzo Farnese.
Despite this, a significant part of the Colosseum survived, although the building remained disfigured. Sixtus V wanted to use it to build a cloth factory, and Clement IX turned the Colosseum into a plant for the extraction of saltpeter. Its travertine blocks and marble slabs were used to create many urban masterpieces.
More good attitude work on the majestic monument began only in the middle of the 18th century, when Benedict XIV took it under his protection. He dedicated the amphitheater to the Passion of Christ as a place soaked in the blood of many Christian martyrs. By his order, a huge cross was installed in the center of the arena, and a number of altars were erected around it. Only in 1874 were they removed.
Later, Popes continued to care for the Colosseum, especially Leo XII and Pius VII, who reinforced areas of the walls that were in danger of falling with buttresses. And Pius IX repaired some of the interior walls.
The Colosseum today
The current appearance of the Colosseum is a triumph of minimalism: a strict ellipse and three tiers with precisely calculated arches. This is the largest ancient amphitheater: the length of the outer ellipse is 524 meters, the major axis is 187 meters, the minor axis is 155 meters, the length of the arena is 85.75 meters, and its width is 53.62 meters; the height of the walls is 48-50 meters. Thanks to this size, it could accommodate up to 87,000 spectators.
The Colosseum was built on a concrete foundation 13 meters thick. In its original form, there was a statue in each arch, and the huge space between the walls was covered with canvas using special mechanism, to manage which a team of sailors was hired. But neither rain nor sunny heat was an obstacle to the fun.
Now, everyone can walk through the ruins of the galleries and imagine how gladiators prepared for battles and wild animals rushed about under the arena.
The Colosseum is guarded with great care by the current Italian government, by order of which the builders, under the guidance of archaeologists, inserted the lying debris, where possible, into their original places. Excavations were carried out in the arena, which led to the discovery basements, which served to lift people and animals, various decorations into the arena, or fill water and lift ships up.
Even despite all the hardships experienced by the Colosseum during its existence, its ruins, devoid of internal and exterior finishing, still make an indelible impression with their majesty and make it clear what its architecture and location were like. Vibrations from constant city traffic, atmospheric pollution and rainwater seepage have brought the Colosseum into critical condition. To preserve it, strengthening is required in many places.
Preservation of the Colosseum
To save the Colosseum from further destruction, an agreement was concluded between the Roman bank and the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage. The first stage is restoration, treatment of the arcades with a waterproof compound and reconstruction wooden floor arenas. Most recently, some of the arches were restored and strengthened problem areas structures.
Nowadays the Colosseum has become a symbol of Rome and one of the most popular tourist sites. In 2007, it was elected one of the new seven “wonders of the world.”
In the 8th century, pilgrims said: “As long as the Colosseum stands, Rome will stand; if the Colosseum disappears, Rome will disappear and with it the whole world.”
The Colosseum is the legendary Roman amphitheater, pride, national treasure and a magnificent, always and everywhere recognizable, symbol of beautiful Italy.
general information
The Colosseum is located in the very center of Rome, in a kind of valley, formed by 3: Caelium, Exvilinus and Palatine.
The dimensions of the ancient amphitheater are amazing: length - 187 m, width - 155 m, height - 50 m. But it received its name not because of its titanic dimensions, but because once on the square in front of it stood a monumental statue of Nero 35 m high height.
They could stay in the Colosseum from 50 to 83 thousand people(the largest modern stadium, located in the DPRK, seats 150 thousand).
From the time of construction until 405 AD. e. The Colosseum hosted gladiator fights, hunting wild animals, theatrical performances and water extravaganzas - navimachia, that is, grandiose shows imitating large-scale naval battles.
It is believed that hundreds of early Christians, who were considered dangerous rebels and responsible for the decline of the state, were tortured to death here.
After the collapse of Ancient Rome, the Colosseum languished in oblivion until the 18th century until he was taken under the protection of Pope Benedict XIV.
He consecrated the Colosseum as a cult place of 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 income. Address: Italy, Rome, Piazza del Colosseo, 1.
Architecture and creators
Construction of the Colosseum in 72 AD was started by Emperor Vespasian, who, before his rise, managed to serve as praetor under Caligula, legate under Claudius and military leader under Nero.
After the death of Vespasian in 79, 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 Domitian's palace on Palantine Hill and the Baths of Titus.
From an architectural point of view, the Colosseum is a classic Roman amphitheater in the shape 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 moldings.
Over the course of 20 centuries, the Colosseum burned repeatedly, suffered from earthquakes and was raided by barbarians. In the Middle Ages, its stones were used to build palaces for the nobility and homes for 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 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.
To prevent the destruction of the legendary amphitheater, in December 2013 the Italian authorities decided to begin 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 the Colosseum on the map
You can admire the Colosseum in photographs, but not get lost A map will help you on its vast territory:
How it was built
The Colosseum was erected on the site of Nero's Golden Palace, which was almost completely destroyed after the suicide of the scandalous ruler.
A grandiose amphitheater was built using funds seized by Vespasian during the 1st Jewish War, which was victorious for the Romans. After the fall of Jerusalem 100 thousand slaves were brought to Rome who built the Colosseum.
The walls of the amphitheater are made of travertine, which was mined in the Trivoli quarries. Large marble blocks were carefully trimmed and fastened with steel staples.
The internal parts of the amphitheater were built of brick and tuff, and the powerful foundation, tiers and vaults were made of ancient Roman concrete, which its strength is many times greater than that of modern ones.
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 – last Saturday in 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 in October – 9-18.30.
Ticket price: 12 euros for adults, for those under 18 years old, admission is free (subject to availability of appropriate documents), audio guide in Russian – 5.5 €, video guide in Russian – 6 euros.
The ticket office closes 1 hour before the amphitheater itself closes. Closed: 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;
- walking: 12 min. from Termini station along Via Cavour.
If you are going to travel around Rome by metro, check out the travel plans, costs and operating hours 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 fun facts about the great Colosseum may be unknown even to experienced guides:
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Celebrations in honor of the opening of the Colosseum lasted 14 weeks and included sports competitions, 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.
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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. Drinking wine was prohibited in the stands. Only an all-powerful emperor could violate this ban.
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Judging by the data of excavations, in particular those carried out in the Colosseum, gladiators were vegetarians, but not for ideological reasons.
Abundant plant foods (barley cakes, bread, beans, vegetables, root vegetables) allowed them to build up a layer of fat, which served as additional protection during battles.
- Due to its far from brilliant state of preservation, the “understudy” of the Colosseum in films is often the smaller, but much better preserved Tunisian amphitheater El Jem. He "replaced" his Roman counterpart in the film "Gladiator".
- The Colosseum is included in the list of 7 new wonders of the world. On this list he is the only representative of European civilization.
Once drenched 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's death penalty was replaced with another punishment.
In Italy itself, the death penalty has not been used since 1947, although it was officially abolished only in 2009 (in the Vatican - in 1969, even for those who attempted to assassinate the Pope).
Some simple tips will make a tour of the Colosseum not only educational, but also easy on the wallet:
- It is highly recommended to purchase a Roma Pass - a special travel pass that allows you to use public transport and visit 2 museums for 3 days without additional payment.
- Roma Pass holders can visit the Colosseum without waiting in line. Its price for 3 days is 36 euros, for 2 days – 28 euros. You can purchase it at train stations (in Italy) or on the website http://www.romapass.it/ (site in English).
- In Italy, as in other countries E.S. European Heritage Days are held. On such days, entrance to museums is either free or costs 1 euro. The Heritage Days schedule can be found at http://europeanheritagedays.com.
- Summer is not best time to visit both Rome and the Colosseum due to the heat and seasonal influx of tourists. If possible, it's worth going there late autumn or in winter.
- In order not to suffer in endless queues, you should arrive either strictly before 9 am or after lunch.
Video of the Colosseum
For those who still doubt whether to go to Rome, will help you make the only right decision video with the beauty of the Colosseum:
Over 20 centuries, the Colosseum has not lost either its 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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