The Colosseum stands today as a testament to the architectural brilliance and engineering prowess of ancient Rome. It’s one of the few structures from the Roman Empire that remains mostly intact. The Colosseum is a major source of tourism revenue for the Italian government. In 2018, the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill generated over $63.3 million (€53.8 million), making it the highest-grossing tourist attraction in Italy.
The Colosseum’s history is a journey through time. It experienced a period of serious decay following the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The Frangipane and Annibaldi families used the arena as their fortress in the 12th century. In the late 15th century, Pope Alexander VI allowed the Colosseum to be used as a quarry. After over a thousand years of neglect, state-funded restoration efforts began in the 1990s.
A Symbol of Imperial Power
The Colosseum’s construction was part of an imperial effort to revitalize Rome after the turbulent “Year of the Four Emperors” in 69 CE. Emperor Vespasian envisioned the Colosseum as an entertainment venue similar to other amphitheaters. It was designed to host gladiator battles, animal hunts, and even mock naval battles.
The construction of the Colosseum began under the reign of Emperor Vespasian, between 70 and 72 CE. The completed structure was dedicated in 80 CE by Titus, Vespasian’s son and successor. The Colosseum’s fourth story was added by Emperor Domitian in 82 CE. Interestingly, the arena was funded by the spoils of war from Titus’s conquest of Jerusalem in 70 CE, and it was built by Jewish slaves from Judea.
An Architectural Marvel
The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheater made of stone, concrete, and tuff. It stands four stories tall and measures 620 by 513 feet (189 by 156 meters). It could hold up to 50,000 spectators, and it was famously used for gladiatorial combat.
The Colosseum was built just east of the Palatine Hill, on the grounds of Nero’s Golden House. The artificial lake that was the centerpiece of that palace complex was drained, and the Colosseum was built on that land, a decision that was as much symbolic as it was practical. Vespasian, whose rise to power began modestly, decided to replace the tyrannical emperor’s private lake with a public amphitheater that could host tens of thousands of Romans. This was a significant statement about the shift in power and the priorities of the new emperor.
A Thriving Venue for Spectacle
The Colosseum was officially dedicated in 80 CE by Titus in a ceremony that included 100 days of games. Later, in 82 CE, Domitian completed the work by adding the uppermost story. Unlike earlier amphitheaters, which were often built into hillsides for support, the Colosseum is a freestanding structure of stone and concrete. It utilizes a complex system of barrel vaults and groin vaults. The Colosseum’s three lower stories feature arcades framed by engaged columns in the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders. This rising arrangement of columns became the basis for the Renaissance codification known as the assemblage of orders. The main structural framework and facade are travertine, the secondary walls are volcanic tufa, and the inner bowl and the arcade vaults are concrete.
The amphitheater seated some 50,000 spectators, who were shielded from the sun by a massive retractable awning called a velarium. Supporting masts extended from corbels built into the Colosseum’s top story, and hundreds of Roman sailors were required to operate the rigging that extended and retracted the velarium. The Colosseum was the scene of thousands of gladiator fights, contests between men and animals, and even mock naval battles. However, it is uncertain whether the arena was the site of the martyrdom of early Christians.
A Survivor of Time
In medieval times, the Colosseum was used as a church, then as a fortress by two prominent Roman families, the Frangipane and the Annibaldi. The Colosseum was damaged by lightning, earthquakes, vandalism, and pollution. The marble seats and decorative materials were lost, as the site was treated as a quarry for over 1,000 years. The preservation of the Colosseum began in earnest in the 19th century, with notable efforts led by Pius VIII. A major restoration project was undertaken in the 1990s. Today, the Colosseum remains one of Rome’s most important tourist attractions, welcoming close to seven million visitors annually. Changing exhibitions relating to the culture of ancient Rome are regularly held.
The Colosseum stands as a timeless symbol of ancient Rome’s might and grandeur. It endures as a captivating testament to the ingenuity and ambition of the Roman Empire.