The Colosseum, officially known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is a giant in the world of Roman architecture. More than just a structure, it stands as a powerful symbol of Rome’s might and the captivating spectacles that drew massive crowds. It was begun by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavia family and inaugurated by his son Titus in 80 AD.
A Grand Opening
The Colosseum’s grand opening ceremony was a spectacle lasting an astounding one hundred days. This extravaganza showcased captivating gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and elaborate shows, with an estimated 5,000 animals meeting their demise, according to the historian Suetonius. The arena was even transformed into a watery stage for naumachiae, breathtaking mock sea battles that re-enacted historical naval clashes.
The Colosseum’s Name
But why is this colossal monument commonly known as the Colosseum? The name first appeared in a prophecy by the medieval monk Venerable Bede: “Rome will exist as long as the Colosseum does; when the Colosseum falls so will Rome; when Rome falls so will the world.” This prophecy likely borrowed the name from the enormous statue of Emperor Nero, nicknamed “the Colossus,” which stood 35 meters tall near the amphitheater, but was unfortunately destroyed long ago.
A Masterpiece of Engineering
The Roman Colosseum is a monument of sheer scale and architectural prowess. Imagine it gleaming white, completely covered in majestic travertine stone slabs. Its elliptical shape, designed to accommodate a larger audience, houses four floors, each with eighty arches. The second and third floors were embellished with grand statues, adding to the spectacle of this impressive structure.
The Colosseum’s construction, completed in a mere ten years, stands as a testament to Roman engineering mastery. Their expertise in arch construction, a key element in their architectural repertoire, allowed them to effectively distribute the weight of heavy structures, creating a perfect balance. The aqueducts, vital to Roman water systems, utilized the arch principle, showcasing the Romans’ impressive knowledge of this architectural wonder.
A Story Etched in Stone
The Colosseum we see today is just a fragment of its former glory. The once magnificent outer brick wall is missing three-fifths of its structure. The Colosseum, no longer used for its intended purpose, was repurposed in the Middle Ages as an enormous quarry, supplying marble, lead, and iron to build grand structures like Barberini Palace, Piazza Venezia, and even St. Peter’s Basilica. The holes still visible on many columns are remnants of this period, marking the points from which lead and iron were extracted.
A Place for the People
The Colosseum could hold up to seventy thousand spectators, a massive crowd by any standard. The tiers of seating were meticulously designed, sloping upwards to provide every spectator with a perfect view of the arena, regardless of their position.
Entry was free for all Roman citizens, but the seating arrangement was a reflection of their social standing, mirroring modern theater seating divisions. The upper levels were reserved for commoners, with designated sections for men and women. As you descended closer to the arena, you encountered the higher social strata, culminating in the front row reserved for senators, vestals, priests, and, of course, the emperor himself.
Like modern sports stadiums, the Colosseum possessed an ingenious sunshade system known as the “Velarium.” This massive linen tarpaulin, suspended by a network of ropes, winches, and wooden poles, was operated by one hundred sailors from the Imperial fleet, moving in perfect synchrony to the beat of a drum.
The Arena and its Secrets
Stepping into the Colosseum, the arena, once a stage for thrilling spectacles, lies beneath us. The original floor, a mixture of brick and wood, is gone, replaced by cellars housing equipment used for preparing and staging the games.
Two underground floors housed lifts and hoists with their counterweights, whose tracks remain visible. These ingenious mechanisms were the special effects of the time, used to hoist animals and gladiators, who burst into the arena through trapdoors, their sudden appearance creating a thrilling surprise for the audience.
A complex system of hinges and lifts was also used to raise elaborately designed backdrops for the hunting events.
The Colosseum’s spectacles held both symbolic and practical significance, forging a bond between citizens and their leader through shared experiences. The spectacles provided a much-needed distraction from political issues and fueled the public’s passion.
A World of Spectacles
The Colosseum hosted a wide variety of shows, each following a specific schedule. In the morning, the arena was a stage for Venationes, battles between exotic animals or between men and animals.
In some cases, these events were also used as forms of public execution, where individuals were left at the mercy of ferocious beasts. The Silvae, a spectacular event featuring elaborate scenery, recreated a forest environment, teeming with animals, which, in this case, were not necessarily killed.
The Colosseum also hosted less brutal spectacles, such as the famous demonstration of an elephant writing words in the sand with its trunk, proving that not all events were about bloodshed. It’s important to note that the Colosseum was not used for the systematic killing of Christians.
Gladiators: Heroes of the Arena
The gladiatorial contests, however, were undoubtedly the most popular events. After a midday break, during which the arena was cleaned and refreshed, the gladiators, welcomed by a roaring crowd, would parade triumphantly into the packed arena, marching from an underground passageway linked to the Gladiators’ barracks, the Ludus Magnus.
These men, cheered by the crowd like modern sports heroes, were not always forced to fight. Many were prisoners of war given the option of becoming slaves or fighting in the arena for a limited period, gaining freedom at the end of their contract. Others were simply destitute individuals seeking fame and fortune.
The profession offered not only financial rewards but also immense popularity, especially among women who were known to pay exorbitant sums for a night with a renowned gladiator.
Twelve different types of gladiators graced the arena, each armed with unique weapons and fighting styles. The Retiarius, armed with a net, a trident, and a knife, faced off against the Secutor, who wielded a shield and a sickle. Other gladiators were heavily armored, wielding javelins or wielding swords – each match was a thrilling spectacle of clashing styles and deadly combat.
If a gladiator was wounded, he could appeal for mercy by raising an arm. The crowd would then turn to the emperor, seated on his stage, to decide the gladiator’s fate. A thumbs up meant life, a thumbs down meant death.
Victorious gladiators were showered with gold palm leaves and immense wealth. Following each battle, servants, resembling Charon, the Ferryman of the Underworld, ensured the wounded were truly dead, and if necessary, would finish them off. Gladiators’ blood was highly prized, believed to have healing properties and could cure epilepsy or enhance sexual virility.
A Reflection of a Brutal Past
Roman spectators reveled in violent spectacles, often considered shocking by modern standards. Their fascination for these brutal events can be likened to contemporary audiences’ love for “splatter” movies.
One key difference, however, was the undeniable brutality of reality. The smell of blood, burnt flesh, and wild animals was unbearable and the attempts to mask it with incense and perfumes were largely ineffective.
A Monument Restored
By the 6th century, with the decline of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum fell into disuse, its walls becoming home to various groups, including confraternities, hospitals, hermits, and even a cemetery. From the Middle Ages onwards, the Colosseum, now a marvel of the past, attracted crowds of visitors, solidifying its place as a legendary monument in Rome and across the globe.
Threatened with demolition by Pope Sixtus V for urban development purposes, the Colosseum was declared a sacred monument dedicated to the Passion of Christ by Pope Benedict XIV. A cross was placed on a pedestal, symbolizing the suffering of Christian martyrs. This cross still marks the starting point for the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, turning the Colosseum into a revered site for Christians.
This declaration protected the Colosseum from further destruction and paved the way for restoration and consolidation efforts by subsequent Popes.
For a modern tourist, visiting the Colosseum is like stepping into the echoes of ancient Rome, as Charles Dickens wrote, “seeing the ghost of old Rome floating over the places its people walk in.”
