- The Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheatre still standing worldwide in Rome
- Construction started in 72 AD and finished in 80 AD using advanced Roman engineering
- It hosted gladiator battles, animal fights, and mock naval battles for up to 80,000 spectators
Standing tall after 2000 years, there's a legendary moment in Rome that leaves visitors speechless. The Colosseum is massive, filled with stories of emperors, gladiators, wild beasts, fires, earthquakes, and survival. Centuries ago, roaring crowds in the arena used to watch gladiators battle lions. Today, visitors admire its broken but grand arches.
What Exactly Is The Colosseum?
The Colosseum is an enormous ancient amphitheatre located in central Rome. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built and remains the largest standing amphitheatre in the world. Built almost 2,000 years ago, it was designed as a grand entertainment arena for the people of Rome.
Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, it was named after the Flavian dynasty of emperors who built it. The name "Colosseum" likely originated later from the gigantic bronze statue known as the "Colossus of Nero" that once stood nearby. And despite what many people think, Julius Caesar never saw the Colosseum. He died more than a century before it was completed.
How Was The Colosseum Built?
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The construction of the Colosseum began around 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD. What makes the structure astonishing is not just its size, but the engineering brilliance behind it. Ancient Roman builders used travertine limestone, volcanic rock called tuff, brick-faced Roman concrete, wood, tiles, mortar, and cement.
The structure measured around 189 metres long and 156 metres wide, with outer walls rising nearly 48 metres high. For ancient times, this was mind-blowing architecture. But the most symbolic part of its construction was where it was built. Before the Colosseum existed, the site belonged to Emperor Nero's extravagant palace complex called the Domus Aurea, or "Golden House." Nero had created a luxurious artificial lake there for his private pleasure. When Nero died, the Flavian emperors wanted to return the land to the public. So they drained the lake and built the Colosseum in its place.
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What Happened Inside The Colosseum?
The Colosseum was ancient Rome's ultimate entertainment machine. At its peak, it could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. Entry was usually free for Roman citizens because emperors used games to win public support and display their generosity.
Inside the arena, Romans witnessed gladiator battles where highly trained fighters battled one another with swords, shields, tridents, and other weapons. Exotic animals from across Africa and the Middle East, like lions, tigers, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, bears, rhinoceroses, ostriches, and leopards, were brought to Rome and appeared in the arena.
The arena also hosted elaborate performances recreating famous battles and scenes from mythology. Some historians believe the arena was at one point filled with water to stage mock naval battles known as naumachiae.
The Fall Of The Colosseum
As the Roman Empire weakened, the Colosseum slowly changed. Gladiator fights were banned in the early 5th century, and animal hunts faded away over time. A devastating earthquake in 1349 caused huge sections of the outer wall to collapse. Stones from the Colosseum were later reused to build churches, hospitals, and palaces across Rome. During the medieval era, it became a cemetery, and parts were used as homes and workshops. At one point, Church officials even considered converting it into a wool factory.
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Why Is The Colosseum One Of The New Seven Wonders Of The World?
The Colosseum earned its place among the New Seven Wonders because it represents an extraordinary combination of engineering brilliance and historical significance. Very few monuments in the world have survived nearly two millennia. It inspired modern stadium design and appears in countless films and books. Even in ruins, it still feels colossal.
Today, the Colosseum is one of the most visited landmarks in the world.
