Do you know where the Colosseum is and how to get to it? Colosseum, the legendary amphitheater of rome Colosseum ancient rome history

Colosseum - the legendary Roman amphitheater, pride, national treasure and magnificent, always and everywhere recognizable, a symbol of beautiful Italy.

general information

The Colosseum is located in the very center of Rome, in a kind of valley, formed by 3: Caelius, Exvilin and Palatine.

The dimensions of the ancient amphitheater are amazing: length - 187 m, width - 155 m, height - 50 m. But it got its name not because of its titanic size, but because once on the square in front of it stood a monumental statue of Nero at 35 m height.

Could stay in the Colosseum from 50 to 83 thousand people(The largest modern stadium, located in the DPRK, can accommodate 150 thousand).

From the time of construction and up to 405 AD. e. in the Colosseum, gladiator fights, hunting for wild animals, theatrical performances and water extravaganzas - navimahia, that is, grandiose shows imitating large-scale naval battles, were arranged.

It is believed that hundreds of the first Christians were tortured to death here, who were considered dangerous rebels and the perpetrators of the decline of the state.

After the collapse of ancient Rome, the Colosseum until the XVIII century vegetated in oblivion until it was taken under the patronage of Pope Benedict XIV.

He consecrated the Colosseum as a place of worship for the 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 revenue. Address: Italy, Rome, Piazza del Colosseo, 1.

Architecture and creators

Construction of the Colosseum in 72 AD started by Emperor Vespasian, who, before his elevation, managed to serve as praetor under Caligula, legate under Claudius and commander under Nero.

After the death of Vespasian in 79, the 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 the palace of Domitian on the Palatine Hill and the Baths of Titus.

From an architectural point of view, the Colosseum is a classic ancient Roman amphitheater in the form 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.

During the 20th century, the Colosseum burned repeatedly, suffered from earthquakes and was subjected to barbarian raids. In the Middle Ages, its stones were used to build palaces for the nobility and dwellings of ordinary citizens.

In the 20th century the polluted air of Rome contributed to the deplorable state of the majestic building, vibrations from passing cars and thousands of tourists those 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.

In order to prevent the death of the legendary amphitheater, in December 2013, the Italian authorities decided to start 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 Colosseum on the map

You can admire the Colosseum in photographs, and not get lost a map will help on its vast territory:

How it was built

The Colosseum was erected on the site of the Golden Palace of Nero, almost completely destroyed after the suicide of the scandalous ruler.

A grandiose amphitheater was erected with funds captured by Vespasian during the victorious 1st Jewish War for the Romans. After the fall of Jerusalem 100 thousand slaves were delivered to Rome who built the Colosseum.

The walls of the amphitheater are made of travertine, which was mined in the quarries of Trivoli. Large marble blocks were carefully hewn and fastened with steel brackets.

The internal parts of the amphitheater were built of brick and tufa, while the powerful foundation, tiers and vaults were made of ancient Roman concrete, which it is many times more durable than the modern one.

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 - the last Saturday of 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 of October - 9-18.30.

Ticket price: 12 euros for adults, for those under 18 years old, admission is free (subject to availability of relevant documents), audio guide in Russian - 5.5 €, video guide in Russian - 6 euros.

Ticket offices close 1 hour before the amphitheater itself closes. Day off: 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;
• walk: 12 min. from Termini station along Via Cavour.

If you are going to travel around Rome by metro, check out the directions, costs and schedule of its work 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 interesting facts about the great Colosseum may be unknown even to experienced guides:

• Celebrations in honor of the opening of the Colosseum lasted 14 weeks and included sports, 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.

• 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. It was forbidden to drink wine in the stands. Only an all-powerful emperor could break this prohibition.

• Judging by the excavations, in particular those carried out in the Colosseum, the gladiators were vegetarians, but not for ideological reasons.

  Abundant plant foods (barley cakes, bread, beans, vegetables, root crops) allowed them to build up a fatty layer, which served as additional protection during battles.

• In view of the far from brilliant preservation, the “understudy” of the Colosseum in films is often the more miniature, but much better preserved Tunisian amphitheater El Jem. He "replaced" his Roman counterpart in the film "Gladiator".
• The Colosseum was included in the list of 7 new wonders of the world. In this list, he is the only representative of European civilization.

Once covered 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 had the death penalty commuted to another measure of punishment.

In Italy itself, the death penalty has not been applied since 1947, although it was officially abolished only in 2009 (in the Vatican - in 1969, even for those who attempted on the Pope).

A few simple tips will make a tour of the Colosseum not only informative, but also not burdensome for the wallet:

• It is strongly recommended to purchase the Roma Pass - a special travel card that allows you to use public transport and visit 2 museums for 3 days at no extra charge.
• Roma Pass holders can visit the Colosseum out of turn. Its price for 3 days is 36 euros, for 2 days - 28 euros. You can buy it at train stations (in Italy) or on the website http://www.romapass.it/ (website in English).
• In Italy, as in other countries, E.S. European Heritage Days are held. On such days, admission to museums is either free of charge or will cost 1 euro. For the Heritage Days schedule, please visit http://europeanheritagedays.com.
• Summer is not the best time to visit both Rome and the Colosseum due to the heat and the seasonal influx of tourists. If possible, worth going there in late autumn or winter.
• In order not to suffer in endless lines, you should come either strictly by 9 am or in the afternoon.

Video of the Colosseum

For those who still doubt whether to go to Rome, help you make the right decision video with the beauties of the Colosseum:

For 20 centuries, the Colosseum has not lost its splendor or grandeur, and continues to excite the imagination and hearts of both the Italians themselves and millions of admiring tourists.

In contact with

The Colosseum is a famous arena where the legendary deadly fights of living beings and the execution of criminals took place. It was a place whose purpose was to inspire the greatness of Rome, as well as reminding each of the visitors present of his place in the complex hierarchical social system of ancient Roman society. The Roman emperor who built the Colosseum did not initially think about power. He was chosen by the legionnaires - as was often the case in the history of ancient Rome. Now there was a new task - to conquer the crowd. The one who built the Colosseum, laying the foundation for the greatness of the Flavian family, understood how to win the hearts and minds of fellow citizens. A little about the history of the construction of one of the bloodiest arenas.

Nero

In 64 a.d. e. There was a huge fire in Rome. The despotic decided to take advantage of this misfortune. He planned to build a huge residence in the city center, called the Golden House. It included an unfinished palace, a 36-meter bronze statue of Nero himself, an artificial lake (the area of ​​5 football fields), a huge park. The people suffering from exorbitant taxes had to pay for the construction.

In the end, the taxpayers' patience ran out - a riot began. Nero was declared an enemy of the people and committed suicide. The vicissitudes of the civil war brought Vespasian to the throne, who founded the Flavian dynasty.

All this little background allows you to understand the purpose for which the Colosseum was built. The place was not chosen by chance. This is the center of Rome. Prior to this, the amphitheaters were located on the outskirts of the city. This emphasized its status as the most important entertainment complex not only of the city, but of the entire empire. The second point, which perfectly illustrates the populist strategy of winning the favor of the Roman citizens, is the place where the Colosseum was built.

To build such an object for the entertainment of citizens on the territory of the residence of Nero, hated by everyone, is a demonstration of public concern, protection, patronage.

The die was cast, the stakes were too high, there was no room for error.

Capture of Jerusalem

Vespasian is the emperor who built the Colosseum, pacified Judea and strengthened his power over Rome. However, at the very beginning of all these deeds, he was at a crossroads. He has always been ambitious. The situation in which he found himself at the beginning of construction was new to him. The project required colossal resources, and Emperor Nero managed to empty the treasury. An increase in the tax burden could provoke a social explosion, and the political situation did not allow postponing the construction of the amphitheater. In addition, the creation of new jobs in the conditions of the economic crisis is another opportunity to strengthen one's own power.

In April 70 A.D. e. Vespasian's eldest son Titus laid siege to Jerusalem. This talented military man, who repeatedly showed examples of personal courage on the battlefield, was able to conquer the city. The significance of this victory for Rome is difficult to overestimate.

Now all the riches of the Temple Mount of Jerusalem have fallen at the feet of the conqueror.

For those who built the Colosseum in Ancient Rome, Judea was another plundered country for which the ancient Roman saying was true: "Woe to the vanquished."

Drainage of the lake and water diversion

The optimal site for the start of construction was an artificial lake located on the territory of the former entertainment complex of Nero. It needed to be dried. For this purpose, a ditch 50 meters wide and 6 meters deep was dug around the reservoir. Its bottom and walls were lined with stone slabs, and the space between them was filled with a special waterproof mortar.

The final diversion of water became possible thanks to another canal dug and stretching for more than a kilometer. But it was too early to celebrate the victory. Rain water accumulated at the bottom of the drained lake. For its successful diversion, there was an extensive network of canals built at an angle of 2 degrees. A groove hollowed out in the board was used as a level. Liquid was poured there and thus “caught” a horizontal line above the ground. After that, it remained only to measure the distance down. In such a simple but ingenious way, underground channels were erected at an optimal angle.

Those who built the Colosseum were talented engineers, but that's not all the revolutionary achievements they used.

On the issue of slaves during the construction of the Colosseum

There is a well-known opinion that slave labor was widely used in the construction of the Colosseum. Truly fantastic figures of 100,000 people are sometimes called. Of course, slave labor was used. However, not all operations could be entrusted to a low-skilled worker, and there were neither resources nor time to train him directly at the production site.

One of the distinguishing features of those who built the Colosseum is the high organization and culture of production. For their time, the Romans were among the most skilled builders. Therefore, Vespasian (and this is confirmed by documents) preferred to sell most of the slaves captured as war booty in Jerusalem, and, having gained fabulous money from this operation, hire experienced skilled professionals.

Long before the advent of the conveyor

When the Colosseum was built in Rome, for a very long time this building haunted not only contemporaries, but also many generations of descendants. The Romans applied three innovations that were the basis necessary for the success of the construction of the complex.

The first innovative solution - arches, designed specifically to withstand heavy weight. Several wedge-shaped blocks, arranged in a semicircle, stand on two columns. The central stone absorbs the weight of the building, and then it is redistributed through the entire structure to the load-bearing columns on the sides. This makes it possible to withstand a large load. And if we add here that the space under the columns is free, this further reduces the weight of the entire building.

In total, there were 80 units on the outer ring of the first row. The same number on the second tier and on the third. The total number is 240. This arched complex had to have a very high level of standardization in its construction. That is, no matter which team made such an arch, it was suitable for any part of the object.

The idea of ​​repetition and interchangeability of building elements from the very beginning dominated the plans of Roman architects. It couldn't be otherwise. Since a huge number of workers with different levels of professional skills had to work on one construction site.

Roman concrete

The second innovative solution, which helped, on the one hand, to reduce the construction time, and on the other hand, to reduce the total weight of the amphitheater, is the use of concrete. His recipe is now almost forgotten. There are only vague references in Vitruvius. Mountain sand (black, carbuncle, gray and red) was used. Without the admixture of earth, and it should also crunch in the hand when rubbed.

The addition of lime gave the material elasticity. It took any necessary form (arch, vault). It seized quickly, had less weight than a stone and at the same time was water resistant. These qualities helped him to take his rightful place in ancient Roman architecture.

But concrete could not solve all pressing issues. Builders still needed a durable, and most importantly, lightweight building material.

The invention of red brick

When the Colosseum was built in Rome, red brick was only being introduced into construction. Terracotta (red clay) was known. Roof tiles were made from it. In the course of experiments, she became more and more common in decoration.

Brick and concrete are the main materials used in the construction of this grandiose structure. The first tier was made of stone, since it was he who had to withstand the main load. The next floors were already made of brick and concrete.

Cranes

Despite the availability of high-quality materials, it was necessary to solve another major problem regarding the delivery of all the necessary elements to the required height. And for this, lifting mechanisms were required. Some of them, set in motion, thanks to the muscular strength of man, have reached the present. These are Trispastas and Polyspastos.

These ideas were adopted from the Greeks. The merit of the Romans is that they significantly improved the Greek heritage. Perhaps the most interesting invention is the wheel, which greatly increased the power of the crane.

The inner diameter of such a wheel, reinforced with an iron strip, ranged from 4 to 6 meters, and its height was over 25 meters. A trained team could handle a load of up to 20 tons. Those who built the Colosseum then used these mechanisms to deliver animals and gladiators to the arena in time. But this was already under the emperor Domitian, who, for the sake of the crowd, additionally built and equipped the dungeon with everything necessary.

Arena

It had a wooden covering strewn with sand. In order to be able to organize a “colorful” battle, there was a two-tiered dungeon under it. Gladiators, beasts, slaves with scenery and all other attendants were supposed to act as a single organism.

There is even a rather controversial version that, if necessary, the available hydraulic mechanisms could easily flood the arena and delight the guests with an exquisite naval battle. While she does not have serious evidence, however, even without them, the scale of the action is amazing.

Answering the question about the year in which the Colosseum was built in Rome, one cannot fail to note the professionalism and speed of the construction of the structure. In 72, work began, for which serious financial injections were needed. The sack of Jerusalem provided the financial means to implement such an ambitious project without raising additional funding. In 79, Vespasian dies, and his son, who recently ascended the throne, gave the builders a deadline - another year.

The year 80 is the answer to another burning question: under which Roman emperor was the Colosseum built. To be absolutely precise, he did not build, but completed the last floor, using the lightest building material.

Emperor Titus consecrated it with his presence. He also attended to the construction of an additional 4 wooden tier. The capacity has increased. Numbers up to 87,000 spectators are called.

Woe to the vanquished

Thanks to cinema and paintings, a very strong opinion has developed that the life of a defeated gladiator depended on the whim of the crowd and the last word of the emperor. A raised finger meant life, and a finger down meant death. This is not entirely true. The gesture that ended the life of a fighter was different. The crowd in a frenzy moved his thumb at his throat, thereby showing that the weak must be destroyed by cutting his throat, but these are just details known to a narrow circle of specialists.

To kindle the blood thirst of the crowd in anticipation of the main action - the battle between people, venators were called - gladiators fighting wild animals. The most famous of them is Karpofar, who killed 20 animals in one day. Bears, tigers, lions came out against such a fighter, armed with a spear and shield.

The brutal killing of animals, as well as people, was not seen as something out of the ordinary. It is enough to remember in what century the Colosseum was built. It was a time when the power of Rome rested on her army, and blood, death, pain and humiliation of other living beings were a necessary condition for achieving one's own power. Because the enemy will not spare you. He will only laugh at your weakness.

Domitian

Emperor Domitian, who succeeded his father and brother, breathed new life into the main brainchild of his family. And here you involuntarily again return to the question of under which emperor the Colosseum was built, but exactly the one about which the verses were composed. Where none of those present, including even the most direct participants in those events, knew about what new test awaits in the arena.

The element of surprise, introduced precisely during this period, did not allow the fighters to relax and tickled the nerves of the audience, grateful to their emperor. The latter shamelessly took advantage of this disposition of his people, ordering to call himself "master and god." He went down in history thanks to numerous trials and subsequent executions on charges of “insulting majesty”.

The senators killed the last of the Flavians, and even the adoration of the crowd, warmed up by the bloody spectacles of the Colosseum, did not save him. The true significance of this amphitheater in the life of ancient society can only be understood by a contemporary of those events. It is wrong to judge the customs and traditions of Rome from the position of modern man. The architectural monument that has survived to this day is the cultural heritage of mankind, even if it is so gloomy, bloody and sinister. Despite many years of research by scientists of the territory, construction and architectural features, the last point in matters related to the history of the Colosseum has not been set. And this is unlikely to happen in the near future.

The Colosseum is one of the main symbols of Rome. The grandiose building of the ancient world amazes contemporaries with its scale, historical significance and well-preserved form. Even today, being in the Colosseum itself, it is easy to imagine the events of the past, once unfolding in the arena of this colossal amphitheater.

The name of the structure "colosseus" is translated from Latin as "huge". Of course, in the 1st century AD, it was a really huge creation of architecture, because the height of other buildings basically did not exceed 10 meters.

Not surprisingly, since July 7, 2007, the Colosseum has been one of the seven New Wonders of the World.

History of the Colosseum

The construction of the Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheater (Amphitheatrum Flavium) was started in 72 AD and took a total of about 8 years. It is noteworthy that two emperors of the Flavian dynasty took part in its construction, after which the stadium got its original name.

Emperor Vespasian (Titus Flavius ​​Vespasianus), under whom the first stone of the stadium was laid, ruled the Roman Empire from 69 AD. He financed the restoration of many structures, including the Capitol. And in 72, the emperor decided to implement a more grandiose project and build the world's largest amphitheater.

The place for the future building was not chosen by chance. The Colosseum was supposed to outshine the Golden House (Domus Aurea) of Emperor Nero (Nero Clavdius Caesar), previously located at the aisle to the Forums, and thus symbolize the power of the new ruler.

According to historians, at least 100,000 slaves and prisoners of war, who were captured after the war with the Jews, were engaged in construction work.

Photo: Viacheslav Lopatin / Shutterstock.com

When Emperor Vespasian died in 80 AD, the construction of the Colosseum fell on the reign of his son, Emperor Titus (Titus Flavius ​​Vespasianus). The completion of the work was marked by a festive ceremony and illuminated by the name of the family - the Flavian Amphitheatre.

origin of name

It is believed that the Colosseum received its second name from the huge statue of the cruel emperor Nero, located in front of him, and bearing the name "Colossus".

However, this opinion is not true. Colosseus was named so precisely because of its enormous size.

Location

The magnificent building of the ancient era, testifying to the power of Ancient Rome, is located between three hills:

• Palatine (Palatino),
• Kylie (Celio),
• Esquiline (Esquilino).

It is located in the eastern part of the Roman Forum (Roman Forum).

Games

As you know, after the construction of the amphitheater came to an end, large-scale games were organized with the participation of gladiators and wild animals, lasting for 100 days.

For many years, this great building has served as the city's main entertainment venue, hosting countless gladiator fights, naval battles, executions, animal battles, reenactments of historical wars, and performances based on ancient myths.

In the early centuries, stadium performances were an essential part of Roman life. And its name - the Flavian Amphitheater - until the 8th century reminded the townspeople of the famous founding emperor.

The Colosseum was even chosen by the townspeople as a place to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of Rome, which took place in 248.

The famous phrase "Panem et circenses" ("bread and circuses") was the motto of this large-scale stadium. Everything that people needed, besides food, happened here: bloody battles and mortal battles.

However, not everyone was satisfied with such cruelty in the arena. For the first time, the monk Telemachus spoke out against the bloody performances in 404 AD, when during the competition he jumped from the podium and demanded the cancellation of the fight. In response to this, the audience stoned him to death.

A little more time passed, and already in 523, when Ancient Rome finally converted to Christianity, Emperor Honorius Augustus (Flavius ​​Honorius Augustus) banned gladiator fights. However, the battles of the animals continued. After that, the Colosseum was no longer as popular as before.

Destruction and restoration

Since the Colosseum was very popular among the locals in those days, Emperor Titus and his brother Domitian (Titus Flavius ​​Domitianus), as well as the emperors who came to replace them, improved the stadium from time to time.

The great ancient building was twice in history subjected to great destruction.

For the first time, significant damage was caused to the Colosseum by a fire that occurred at the end of the 1st century during the reign of Emperor Macrinus. At the same time, the stadium was restored already during the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus (Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexandrus) at the beginning of the 2nd century.

The second significant destruction was caused to the amphitheater in the 5th century during the invasion of the barbarians, after which the largest building of the ancient era was not used for a long time and was in oblivion.

Middle Ages

At the end of the 6th century, the Colosseum was used as a memorial site for early Christians who were doomed to a hard death. Thus, a sanctuary was arranged in the interior of the stadium, and the arena was made a cemetery. In the arches and niches of the building were workshops and trading shops.

Starting in the 12th century, the Colosseum changed hands as a bastion for many famous Roman families until the amphitheater was again returned to the state power of Rome.

In 1200, the Colosseum was given to the noble family Frangipani (Frangipane). And in the 14th century, the stadium was badly damaged by a powerful earthquake. As a result of this, the outer side from the south almost completely collapsed.

Gradually, such an ancient building began to collapse more and more, and some popes and famous Romans did not hesitate to use its elements to decorate their own palaces in the 15th century.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Pope Paul II took material from the Colosseum for the construction of his Venetian palace, Paul III for the construction of the Palazzo Farnese, and Cardinal Riario for the chancellery palace. Many architects sought to break the bronze partitions out of the building.

In the 16th century, Pope Sixtus V wanted to open a wool processing plant in the stadium. From the beginning of the 17th century, bullfights were organized in the Colosseum - an entertainment that replaced gladiator fights.

The Colosseum began to pay attention again, but already from the side of the church, during the time of Pope Benedict XIV in the middle of the 18th century, who, by his decree, ordered the Colosseum to be turned into a Catholic church. It's hard to imagine the Colosseum as a church, given all the cruelty and bloodshed that took place in its arena, isn't it? But it was in honor of the thousand victims of the Colosseum that he made this decision.

After Pope Benedict XIV, other popes continued the tradition of reviving ancient architectural monuments.

Restoration

During the 19th century, construction work was carried out to excavate the arena of the stadium and restore the facade. The Colosseum received its current appearance during the reign of Mussolini (Benito Mussolini).

And only in the 20th century the Colosseum was completely restored. The work lasted for 9 years - exactly the same as it took for its construction. The revived amphitheater was reopened as a historical landmark on July 19, 2000.

In 2007, the New Open World Corporation held a competition in which people around the world participated in voting to select the New Seven Wonders of the World. And the first place among the historical monuments was taken by the Colosseum.

modern times

Perhaps the longest line of tourists line up at the entrance to the Colosseum. The line stretches all the way to the Arch of Constantine. At the same time, the desire of tourists from all over the world to see this ancient monument does not depend on the season.

Photo: Pani Garmyder / Shutterstock.com

In addition to the main tourist site, the ancient Colosseum, restored and reopened in 2000, today also acts as an arena for various spectacular public events and colorful shows.

Of course, the interior of the stadium is now partially destroyed, but about 1,500 seats for spectators are still in use.

Such world performers as Billy Joel, Elton John (Sir Elton John), Paul McCartney (Sir Paul McCartney), Ray Charles (Ray Charles) performed on the stage of the Colosseum in 2002.

The stadium is often used in literature, film, music and computer games. Movies: Roman Holiday» (Roman Holiday) and «Gladiator» (Gladiator). Computer games: Age of Empires, Assassins's Creed, Civilization.

Architecture of the Colosseum

The capacity of the Colosseum was designed for 50 thousand spectators. Having the shape of an ellipse, the diameter of its oval is 188 m and 156 m, and the height is 50 m. This building was indeed the largest in the history of the ancient world.

Photo: Nicola Forenza / Shutterstock.com

According to scientists, the current Colosseum is only a third of the former amphitheater. And 50,000 spectators could accommodate at the beginning of our era in this amphitheater completely freely, while another 18,000 visitors were standing.

Construction material

Facing the facade was carried out with travertine, like many buildings of ancient Rome. The main concentric and radial walls of the structure are made from this natural limestone.

Travertine was mined near Tivoli, which is located 35 km from Rome. The prisoners were engaged in the primary processing and delivery of the stone, and the final processing was already carried out by Roman masters. Of course, the quality of processing this building material with improvised materials in the 1st century AD still surprises.

The blocks were connected using special iron brackets. The total amount of metal spent on these staples is about 300 tons.

Unfortunately, in the Middle Ages, many iron structures were pulled out by local craftsmen, so today you can see large holes in their place. The construction of the Colosseum was badly damaged because of this, but nevertheless, the greatest structure of all time still retains its shape.

In addition to travertine, brick, concrete and volcanic tuff were also used to build the amphitheatre. So, brick and concrete were used for internal floors and partitions, and tuff was used for the construction of the upper tiers.

Design

Structurally, the Colosseum consists of 240 large arches arranged in three tiers along the circumference of an ellipse. The walls of the structure are made of concrete and terracotta bricks. The total amount of terracotta stone that was required for the amphitheater is about 1 million pieces.

The frame of the Colosseum consists of 80 intersecting walls that extend in all directions from the arena, as well as 7 concentric walls built around the circumference of the arena. Spectator rows were located directly above these walls. The concentric walls on the outer side consist of four tiers, and in the first three tiers there are arches 7 meters high each.

Entrances to the Colosseum

Another innovation used in the construction of the amphitheater is the uniform arrangement of a large number of entrances along the perimeter of the structure. This technique is also used in modern times in the construction of sports complexes. It was due to this that the audience could pass and leave the Colosseum in just 10 minutes.

In addition to 76 entrances for ordinary citizens, there were 4 more entrances for noble people. Of these 76 moves, 14 were also for riders. Entrances for citizens were marked with a serial number. The central exit from the north was intended specifically for the emperor and his entourage.

To visit the amphitheater in ancient Rome, you had to buy a ticket (tabel) with the number of the row and seat. Spectators walked to their seats through the vomitorium, which were located under the stands. They could also quickly leave the Colosseum in the event of an evacuation.

The system of stairs and corridors was well thought out, so that it excluded the crush and the possibility of meeting a representative of one class with another.

Colosseum inside

Inside the ancient structure were vaulted galleries where the audience could rest. Artisans also traded here. It seems that all the arches are the same, but in reality they are located at different angles and the shadows fall on them also in different ways.

Photo: Farbregas Hareluya / Shutterstock.com

arches

It was possible to enter the amphitheater through the arches located on the first tier, and then climb the stairs to the next tiers. Spectators were seated around the arena along the perimeter of the ellipse.

Tiers

The first tier of the Colosseum has 76 spans designed to enter the stadium. The Roman numbering above them has been well preserved to this day.

In addition to the large number of arches, a distinctive feature of the Colosseum is the numerous pillars of different styles. They served not only to protect against the destruction of the structure, but also lightened the weight of the entire structure.

The heaviest lower tier contains half-columns of the Doric order, on the concrete second tier - columns of the Ionic style, on the third tier there are Corinthian columns with richly decorated capitals.

Some sources also say that the arches on the second and third tiers were complemented by statues made of white marble. Although there is no confirmation of this version, it is possible that such decoration was in the design of the building.

Velarius (canopy of canvas)

On the fourth tier of the Colosseum, which was built a little later, there are rectangular holes for stone supports, on which a special awning was attached. This awning was stretched on 240 wooden masts and was intended to protect spectators from the sun and rain.

The canopy was managed by sailors specially trained for this. The total number of sailors for pulling the awning was several thousand people.

Seats for spectators

Seats for spectators in the amphitheater were arranged in a hierarchy. Closest to the arena sat the emperor and his entourage, above - representatives of the city authorities. Even higher were the stands of the Roman warriors - maenianum primum, and further - the stands for wealthy citizens (maenianum secundum).

Then followed places for ordinary people. after which ordinary Roman townspeople were seated. However, the lowest classes were located even higher, in the last rows.

Separate places were reserved for boys with teachers, foreign guests, soldiers on leave.

Arena

Since the arena was elliptical in shape, this did not allow gladiators or animals to escape death or blows by hiding in a corner. Boards on the floor were easily removed before naval battles.

In the basement under the arena there were chambers for slaves, as well as cages for animals. There were also offices there.

The arena had two entrances. The first - "Gate of Triumph" (Porta Triumphalis), was intended for the entry of gladiators and animals into the arena. Those gladiators who won the battle returned through the same gate. And those who lost were carried away through the “Gate of Libitina” (Porta Libitinaria), which received the name in honor of the goddess of death.

Hypogeum

Under the arena was a deep underground room (hypogeum). In modern times, this room can be well considered. It includes a two-level system of cages and tunnels. Gladiators and animals were kept here.

The stage was equipped with a complex system of turns and various special effects devices, many of which have not survived to this day.

To raise the gladiators and animals to the arena, a special elevator system was used, consisting of 80 vertical lifts. A hydraulic system was even discovered there, which made it possible to quickly lower and raise the arena.

The hypogeum connected a network of underground tunnels with any points of the amphitheater, and there were also many passages outside the Colosseum. Gladiators and animals were brought in from nearby barracks. In addition, there was a special passage in the dungeon for the needs of the emperor and the vestals.

Close to the Colosseum

Near the stadium there was a school of gladiators - Ludus Magnus ("Large training ground"), as well as a school of Ludus Matutinus, in which war training in battle with animals took place.

How to get to the Colosseum

You can get to the imposing Colosseum, located near the Forum and the Arch of Constantine, as follows:

• on metro line B, getting off at the Colosseo station of the same name;
• by tram number 3;
• buses No. 75, 81, 673, 175, 204.

Address of the Colosseum: Piazza del Colosseo.

Opening hours

The amphitheater is open to the public daily. Colosseum opening hours:

• from January 2 to February 15 - from 8.30 to 16.30;
• from February 16 to March 15 - from 8.30 to 17.00;
• from March 16 to the last Saturday of March - from 8.30 to 17.30;
• from the last Sunday of March to August 31 - from 8.30 to 19.15;
• from September 1 to September 30 - from 8.30 to 19.00;
• from the last Sunday of October to December 31 - from 8.30 to 16.30;
• from October 1 to the last Sunday of October - from 8.30 to 18.30.

The Colosseum is closed on January 1st and December 25th. Ticket offices close one hour before closing. The last visit is also one hour before closing.

Ticket price

As of 2020, you can see the famous sights with a single ticket - Colosseum-Forum-Palatine, which costs 16 Euros. The ticket is valid for 24 hours and includes one entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine.

In addition, from January 1, 2020, you can purchase a Full Experience Ticket worth 22 Euros. It is valid for 2 days and allows you to visit all three attractions, as well as enter the arena and go down to the Colosseum dungeon.

For early bookings online, a fee of 2 Euros is added.

Admission for children under 18 is free.

Attention, the entrance to the Colosseum is free on the first Sunday of each month from October to March!

At the Colosseum, you can take a guided tour in one of the main European languages, which takes place every half hour. In addition, audio guides are available, including in Russian.

The official website says that up to 3,000 people can be in the amphitheater at the same time for security reasons. Therefore, there may be delays at the entrance even for those who have booked a visit in advance.

Ticket prices and opening hours may change - check the information on the official website www.coopculture.it/en/.

How to buy tickets to the Colosseum without a queue

If you decide to buy a ticket at the entrance to the Colosseum, then you will have to arrive very early or spend several hours in line. In order not to stand in a huge queue for several hours, you can buy a single ticket at the following ticket offices:

• near the Palatine Hill - on San Gregorio Street (Via di San Gregorio), house 30;
• on Santa Maria Nova Square (Piazza Santa Maria Nova), house 53 (only 200 m from the Colosseum);
• next to the Roman Forum.

There are almost no queues, so you will save time. Another option is to buy a ticket on the official website in advance with a fixed visiting time.

Excursions in Rome

If you're looking for something a little more interesting than the traditional city tour on a map, then try this new format of sightseeing. In modern times, unusual excursions from local residents are becoming increasingly popular! After all, who better than a local resident knows the history and the most interesting places in Rome?

You can view all excursions and choose the most intriguing one on the website.

The history of the Colosseum dates back to the 1st century AD. e. It is full of bright events and facts. This grandiose building has survived to our time almost in its original form. About the Colosseum itself, its rich history, interesting facts and events will be discussed in this article.

History of the Colosseum

Colosseum in Latin means "colossal, huge". It is also known as the Flavian Amphitheater (a dynasty of Roman emperors). The Colosseum is a monument of ancient Roman architecture and one of the many attractions that Italy is known for.

It was built between the Caelievsky, Esquiline and Palatine hills. The construction of the Colosseum began in 72 (I century AD). During the reign of the founder of the Flavian dynasty. Eight years later, in 80, he consecrated the amphitheater, which was erected on the site of a pond belonging to the famous complex

Reasons for construction

To be more precise, the history of the Colosseum began in 68. That year she changed her oath to the emperor, supporting the rebellious Senate. This led to the fact that Nero, after 14 years of dictatorship, committed suicide in a country estate near Rome.

His death led to a civil war that lasted for 18 years. In 69, the war was over, and Titus Flavius ​​Vespasian, the founder of the dynasty of emperors, won it.

Vespasian faced the task of reconstructing the center of Rome, not only in order to restore it, but also to strengthen his own power and cult, to eradicate any mention of his predecessor. A big problem for the construction of the Colosseum in Ancient Rome was the palace of Nero, which was called the Golden House. The palace itself and the area adjacent to it occupied an area of ​​120 hectares in the very center of Rome.

Vespasian reconstructed most of the buildings, and the lakes next to the palace were filled up, having built the Colosseum in their place. All this large-scale event was quite symbolic, because the land that Nero used now began to serve the common people.

Construction history

The ancient amphitheater was erected at the expense of funds that were received after the sale of military trophies. According to historians, more than 100 thousand slaves and captured soldiers were brought to Rome for the construction and reconstruction of the entire complex of buildings. They were used to perform the most difficult work, for example, in the extraction of travertine in the quarries of the Roman suburb of Tivoli. They also transported stone from the quarry to Rome, averaging over 20 miles.

Large groups of architects, builders, decorators and artists carried out their tasks, erecting an ancient amphitheater. However, the emperor Vespasian was not destined to live to see the completion of the grandiose structure; he died in 79. A year later, his successor Titus consecrated the Colosseum during its opening.

general description

Like all other amphitheatres of Ancient Rome, the Colosseum amphitheater was built in the shape of an ellipse, in the center of which there is an arena of the same shape. Concentric rings with seats for spectators are built around the arena. From all other structures of this kind, the Colosseum is distinguished by its impressive dimensions. The length of the outer ellipse of the Colosseum is as much as 524 meters, the large axis is about 188 m, and the small one is almost 156 m. The arena of the amphitheater reaches a length of about 86 m, and a width of almost 54 m, the height of the walls of the Colosseum ranges from 48 to 50 meters.

The basis of the structure is 80 radially directed pillars, reinforced with walls, as well as load-bearing vaults and ceilings. The Colosseum is so massive that for its construction it was necessary to make a foundation, reaching 13 meters in thickness. Outside, the building was finished with travertine, which was delivered from Tivoli.

Facade of the amphitheater

The architecture of the Colosseum is majestic and grandiose, it still amazes with its magnificence. In the outer wall of the amphitheater, which reaches a height of almost 50 meters, there is a two-stage plinth, and the facade of the building itself is divided into four tiers. The three lower tiers are arcades (several arches of the same size and shape that rest on columns or pillars). This architectural technique was very popular in the 1st century AD.

The arches of the lowest floor are a little over seven meters high, and the supports that support them reach a width of almost 2.5 meters and a depth of about 2.8 meters. The distance between the supports is 4.2 meters. Doric columns are built in front of the arches, but the entablature (upper part) was created in a different architectural style.

An interesting fact is that 76 arches of the lower tier out of 80 were numbered. Four remained without numbers, which were at the ends of the axles, they were the main entrances to the Colosseum.

Upper part of the façade

The columns located on the second tier of the Colosseum amphitheater rested on an attic (decorative wall), which was located above the entablature of the initial tier. The arcades of the second tier differ from the arcades of the first tier by the height of the columns, and also by the fact that they have not a Doric, but an Ionic order. The entablature, the attic, which served as the basis for the columns of the third row, was also smaller in size than on the first tier.

The height of the arches on the third tier is slightly less than on the second, and is 6.4 meters. The main difference between the arches of the second and third tiers was that there was a statue in each opening. On the third tier, the walls were decorated with pilasters in the Corinthian style. A window was made through each pair of pilasters.

Building name

Many people ask the question: "Why was the Colosseum called the Colosseum?" It is worth noting that it was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater, since this dynasty of emperors was engaged in its construction. This building received the name Colosseum much later, it appeared in the VIII century. It denotes the colossality of this amphitheater; there were no buildings of this size in the entire Roman Empire.

However, there is a version that the Colosseum was so named because the colossus (statue) of Nero stood next to it. It was made of bronze and reached a height of 37 meters. Later, the emperor Commodus remade it, replacing the head of the statue. Now it is difficult to say in honor of what the Flavian amphitheater was renamed into the Colosseum, but both versions are quite consistent, and historians have not yet found a refutation of them.

Purpose of the Colosseum

The Colosseum in Ancient Rome for the common people and for the patricians was the main place where various entertainment events were held. Basically, gladiator fights took place here, which at that time were very popular. Also, animal persecution and naumachia (sea battles) were carried out here. For naval battles, the arena of the Colosseum was filled with water, after which the battles began.

During the reign of Emperor Macrinus, in 217, the building of the Colosseum was seriously damaged by fire. But under the next emperor, the Colosseum was restored. In 248, in this building, Emperor Philip celebrated the millennium of Rome on a grand scale. And in 405, gladiator fights were banned in the Colosseum by Emperor Honorius. This was due to the spread of Christianity, which later became the main religion of the Roman Empire. Animal persecution continued here, but after the death of Emperor Theodoric the Great, in 526, they also stopped.

Colosseum in the Middle Ages

The history of the Colosseum in the Middle Ages was not the best. The invasions of the barbarians led to the decline of not only the amphitheater, but also Rome itself, gradually the Colosseum began to collapse. In the 6th century, a chapel was added to the amphitheater, but this did not give the whole structure a religious status. The arena, where gladiators used to fight, pit animals and arrange sea battles, was turned into a cemetery. The arcades and vaulted spaces were converted into workshops and dwellings.

From the 11th to the 12th century, the Colosseum became a kind of fortress for the Roman nobility, who challenged each other for the right to rule over ordinary citizens. However, they were forced to cede the amphitheater to Emperor Henry VII, and he later gave it to the Roman people and the Senate.

At the beginning of the 14th century, local aristocrats organized bullfights in the Colosseum, from that time the building began to gradually collapse. In the middle of the XIV century, a powerful earthquake caused the collapse of the building, its southern side suffered the most.

Colosseum in the XV-XVIII centuries

Since the Colosseum at that time was not one of the most famous sights in the world, it gradually began to be used as a building material. In addition to taking a stone from the collapsed walls, it was specially pulled out from the Colosseum itself. From the 15th to the 16th centuries, stone was taken from here by order of various pontiffs for the construction of the Venetian palace, the Farnese palace and the chancellery palace.

Despite this barbarity, a significant part of the Colosseum has been preserved, but part of the building has been mutilated. Pope Sixtus V wanted to use the surviving amphitheater as a cloth factory, and Clement IX turned the Colosseum into a saltpeter factory.

Only in the 18th century did the pontiffs begin to properly treat this ancient majestic structure. Pope Benedict XIV took the Colosseum under his protection and began to consider it a place of memory for Christians who fell during the persecution of Rome. In the center of the arena, a huge cross was installed, and several altars were placed around it in memory of the path of Christ to Calvary.

In 1874, the cross and altars were removed from the arena of the Colosseum, and the new pontiffs continued to take care of the building. By their order, the amphitheater was not only kept intact, but those walls that could collapse were strengthened.

Colosseum today

Currently, the Colosseum is under the protection of the state and guarded around the clock. The surviving fragments of the amphitheater, where possible, were installed in their places. It was decided to explore the arena, and archaeological excavations were carried out on its territory. Surprisingly, scientists found basements under the arena. Presumably they were used as a kind of backstage for people and animals before they entered the arena.

Despite almost two thousand years and hard trials, the remains of the Colosseum, without interior and exterior decoration, still make an unforgettable impression on a person who finds himself here. Even in this state, it is quite easy to imagine what exactly the Colosseum was like at its best. The monumentality of architecture is striking in its scale, along with this, an exquisite Romanesque style is visible. The Colosseum is deservedly considered one of the most famous sights in the world.

Today, it continues to gradually deteriorate due to rainwater and atmospheric pollution. The Italian government has developed a program for the restoration and preservation of this amazing monument of history and architecture of Ancient Rome. It will be implemented in the near future. During this period, tourists coming here from all over the world will no longer be allowed into the Colosseum.

This building has become one of the symbols of Italy, just like the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Trevi Fountain. The Colosseum today claims to be one of the new wonders of the world. Among the traditional seven, the following attractions are known:

• Pyramids in Egypt.
• Statue of Zeus in Greece.
• Temple of Artemis at Ephesus.
• Mausoleum at Halicarnak.
• The Colossus of Rhodes.
• Alexandrian lighthouse.
• Hanging Gardens of Babylon in Babylon.

However, of all the listed attractions, only the pyramids have survived to this day. The rest can only be learned from myths and legends. You can still admire the Colosseum today, despite the fact that this building is almost 2 thousand years old. If you find yourself in Rome, be sure to visit this unique historical and architectural monument.

origin of name

The official name of the Roman arena was the Flavian Amphitheatre. The attraction, familiar to us, received the name “Colosseum” only in the VIII century from the Latin word “colosseus”, which means “huge, colossal”. The popular belief that the name comes from a nearby colossal 36-meter statue of Nero is erroneous.

History of the Colosseum

To understand the reasons for the construction of the Colosseum, it is necessary to understand the situation that developed during the decade that preceded the start of construction. The Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD cleared vast areas in the city, including the valley of the three hills (Caelium, Palatine and Esquiline), where the amphitheater is located. Emperor Nero, taking advantage of the fire, seized a huge part of the vacated land for the construction of a palace complex, the size of which still remains a record for all the royal residences ever built in Europe. According to various sources, the palace complex of Nero was located on an area from 40 to 120 hectares and so impressed with its splendor that it later received the name "Nero's Golden House". For its construction, the emperor greatly increased taxes. The despotism and arbitrariness of Nero, together with the complete removal from the administration of the empire, led to a state conspiracy. There was a rare situation when the emperor managed to turn against himself all the social strata of ancient Roman society at once. Realizing that his fate was sealed, Nero committed suicide.

The new emperor Vespasian, being a subtle politician and pragmatist, understood how important it was to get the support of the Roman crowd. The recipe was simple - you need to provide "bread and circuses." Where the palace complex for Nero was located, Vespasian decides to build a huge building for the population of Rome. The symbolism is obvious. The choice fell on the project of building a new grandiose amphitheater. It was especially important to realize the conceived idea in connection with the desire of Vespasian to become the founder of the imperial Flavian dynasty. The amphitheater was to become a family monument for the ages.

Construction financing

The wasteful Nero ruined the treasury, so Vespasian had to find funds for the construction as soon as possible. At this very time, to their great misfortune, the Jews rose in revolt against Roman domination. Vespasian and his son Titus took advantage of the opportunity presented to brutally suppress the rebellion, and at the same time sack Jerusalem. Particularly rich booty was the religious complex of the city called the Temple Mount, the main attraction of which at that time was the Second Jerusalem Temple. 30,000 captives were sold as slaves, and another 100,000 were sent to Rome for the most difficult work of extracting stone from a quarry and transporting it to the construction site of the Colosseum. It turns out that the prehistory of the Colosseum is as bloody and cruel as the events that took place later in its arena.

Of course, ordinary citizens also felt the grandiose construction of the greatest of the Roman structures. The empire raised the old and introduced new taxes. Even a tax on toilets was introduced, thanks to which the expression "Money does not smell" appeared. This is how Vespasian responded to his son Titus when he questioned the moral aspect of the new tax.

Construction and architecture of the Colosseum

Coliseum- the most grandiose ancient amphitheater. Its dimensions:

• the length of the outer ellipse is 524 meters;
• major axis - 187 meters;
• minor axis - 155 meters;
• arena length (also elliptical) - 85 meters;
• width of the arena - 53 meters;
• wall height - 48 meters;
• foundation thickness - 13 meters.

Construction of the Colosseum started in 72 during the reign of Vespasian, was completed and consecrated under his son Emperor Titus in 80. During this historical period, more than one million inhabitants lived in Rome. The amphitheater had to be large enough to accommodate 50 thousand viewers and at the same time strong enough to support its own weight. The solution to this problem was clearly demonstrated by the genius of Roman architectural thought. Many engineering solutions that were used in the construction of the Colosseum became revolutionary.

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The engineering idea of ​​the amphitheater is simple and ingenious. The frame of the structure is a solid structure of intersecting radial (extending from the arena in all directions) and concentric (surrounding the arena) walls. In total, 80 gradually rising radial and 7 concentric walls were erected. Above them were rows for spectators.

The outer concentric wall of the amphitheater includes four tiers, the first three of which have 80 seven-meter-high arches each. In the design of the first tier, decorative semi-columns of the Tuscan order are used, the second tier - Ionic, the third - Corinthian. The last fourth tier is a solid wall (without arches) with small rectangular windows. Bronze shields were placed in the piers between the windows, and statues were installed in the arched openings of the second and third floors.

The use of arches, a feature of which is the ability to reduce the weight of the entire structure, was the only true and possible engineering solution for such high walls. Another advantage of arched structures was their uniformity, which greatly simplified the construction of the entire structure. Arched sections were created separately, and only then they were assembled together as a constructor.

Construction Materials

The load-bearing radial and concentric walls of the amphitheater are lined with natural limestone known as travertine. It was mined near Tivoli (35 km from Rome). Researchers believe that the same 100 thousand captives captured as a result of the suppression of the Jewish uprising worked at the stage of extraction, delivery and primary processing of travertine. Then the stone fell into the hands of Roman masters. The quality of their processing, as well as the level of construction in general, is simply amazing. Pay attention to how precisely the huge stones adjoin each other.

All travertine blocks were connected to each other with iron staples, which were removed in the Middle Ages, which greatly weakened the structure of the entire structure. It is estimated that 300 tons of metal were spent on the brackets that tighten the walls. Now in their place, through holes gape in the preserved walls.

In addition to the travertine used for load-bearing radial and concentric walls, when building the Colosseum, Roman engineers widely used volcanic tuff, brick and concrete, the advantage of which was relative lightness. For example, tuff blocks were intended for the upper tiers of the amphitheater, while concrete and brick were well suited for partitions and ceilings inside the structure.

- group tour (up to 10 people) for the first acquaintance with the city and the main attractions - 3 hours, 31 euros

- immerse yourself in the history of Ancient Rome and visit the main monuments of antiquity: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill - 3 hours, 38 euros

- the history of Roman cuisine, oysters, truffle, pate and cheese during a tour for real gourmets - 5 hours, 45 euros

Entrances to the Colosseum

The architectural and logistical solution used in the Colosseum is used in the construction of stadiums to this day - many entrances are located evenly around the entire perimeter of the building. Thanks to this, the public could fill the Colosseum in 15 minutes and leave in 5.

In total, the Colosseum had 80 entrances, of which 4 were intended for senators and members of the magistrate, 14 for horsemen, 52 for all other social categories. The horsemen's entrances were called south, north, west and east, while the other 76 had their own serial number (from I to LXXVI). If you look closely, some of them can be seen even today. Each spectator, depending on the social status, received a ticket (report card), which indicated not only his place, but also which entrance he should use.

The more important a person was, the easier it was for him to get to his place. In addition, the corridors and stairs of the amphitheater were planned in such a way that people of different classes did not collide with each other. Such a well-thought-out system practically eliminated the crush.

Seats for spectators

The Roman Colosseum could accommodate up to 50,000 people at the same time. Spectators were seated in strict accordance with the social hierarchy. The bottom row, or podium, was reserved for senators and members of the magistrate. Here, although on a slight elevation, was the bed of the emperor. Behind the podium was a tier for horsemen, and then a tier with seats for those who had the status of a citizen in the Roman Empire. The next tier is for the plebs and women. The last was a standing tier for slaves and not noble foreigners. It turns out that the Colosseum was a model of Roman society in miniature.

Arena and Hypogeum

Two entrances led to the arena: the “Gate of Triumph” (lat. Porta Triumphalis), through which gladiators and animals entered the arena and returned back with victory, and the “Gate of Libitina” (lat. Porta Libitinaria), named after the goddess of death and burials, and where the dead or wounded were taken.

Over time, the desire for more majestic spectacles in the arena of the Colosseum only increased. Constant innovation was required to keep the Roman crowd happy and tractable at all times. Already 5 years after the opening, the arena was completely reconstructed by Domitian, the second son of Vespasian. Domitian created an underground complex of unprecedented scale under the arena - the hypogeum. It was a series of technical and utility rooms with a complex system of special passages and platforms (elevators) for raising gladiators and animals to the arena. There were 60 hatches and 30 platforms in total.

Due to the unique functionality of the hypogeum, the arena of the Colosseum could change depending on the scenario. Real theatrical performances unfolded here, the purpose of which was to present death and murder even more colorful and vivid. Decorations were erected to imitate nature or structures. The participants of the show, especially if it was a mass show, appeared at the most unexpected moment in extremely important places, which could seriously change the disposition of the fighting parties in the arena. Hypogeum has taken the games to a higher level. Today, this part of the Colosseum is the only one that has hardly suffered from time.

Velarius (canopy)

On hot and rainy days, a velarium (sailcloth canopy) was stretched over the amphitheater, which was mounted on 240 wooden masts installed in stone console racks of the upper fourth tier of the outer wall. The canopy was operated by several thousand specially trained sailors who had previously served in the Navy. Unfortunately, detailed information on exactly how the canopy functioned and how it was pulled was not preserved.

The history of the functioning of the Colosseum

The first repair, as shown by archaeologists, was made after a fire during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161). In 217, as a result of a lightning strike on the upper floor of the Colosseum, most of the amphitheater burned out. In 222, games were resumed in the arena, but the reconstruction of the building was completed only in 240 under Emperor Gordian III, and on this occasion a commemorative coin was issued.

In 248, Emperor Philip organized grandiose celebrations of the millennium of Rome in the Colosseum. In 262, the amphitheater was able to survive a strong earthquake with relative success. The second half of the 4th century was marked by the gradual decline of gladiatorial games under the influence of the spread of Christianity:

• in 357, Emperor Constantine II prohibited the Roman military from voluntarily enrolling in gladiatorial schools after the end of their service;
• in 365, Emperor Valentinian forbade judges from sentencing criminals to death in the arena;
• in 399 all gladiatorial schools were closed.

The reason for the final ban on gladiator fights was the case described by Bishop Theodoret of Kirr. In 404, a Christian monk from Asia Minor named Telemachus jumped into the arena and rushed to the fighting gladiators, trying to separate them. This pious zeal cost him his life: an angry mob attacked the peacemaker and tore the monk to pieces. However, Telemachus's sacrifice was not in vain: under the impression of his martyrdom, Emperor Honorius banned gladiatorial games forever.

The capture of Rome by the Goths (410) led to the looting of the amphitheater, from which bronze ornaments and decorative elements were removed. The last games (included only the baiting of wild animals) were held by Flavius ​​Anicius Maximus in 523. Starting from the 6th century, the Colosseum, under the influence of natural elements, began to rapidly fall into decay, its arena was overgrown with trees and grass, and wild animals found shelter under the stands.

During the Middle Ages, all knowledge about the purpose of the amphitheater was lost. People began to imagine that the grand structure was the temple of the Sun God. In special brochures for pilgrims who visited Rome, the Colosseum was described as a round temple dedicated to various gods, and once covered with a bronze or copper dome. Gradually, the entire space inside the amphitheater began to be built up with houses of small craftsmen and artisans. Also in the Middle Ages, there was a popular legend that the influential Frangipani family hid their treasures in the Colosseum.

In 1349, a powerful earthquake in Rome caused the collapse of the Colosseum, especially its southern part. After that, they began to look at the ancient landmark as a place for the extraction of building material, and not only the stones that had fallen off, but also those stones deliberately broken out of it, began to be used for the construction of new buildings. Many Roman mansions, palaces and temples were built from marble and travertine quarried from the ruins of the Colosseum.

So, in the 15th and 16th centuries, Pope Paul II used stone from the Colosseum to build the so-called Venetian Palace, Cardinal Riario - the Palace of the Chancellery, and Paul III - the Palazzo Farnese. It is known that Sixtus V intended to use the Colosseum for arranging a cloth factory, and Clement IX turned it into a saltpeter factory for a short period of time. Despite such a consumer attitude, a significant part of the amphitheater still survived, albeit in an extremely disfigured condition.

Modern architectural studies of the Colosseum began around 1720, when Carlo Fontana made an inspection of the amphitheater and studied its geometric proportions. At this time, the first tier of the structure was already completely buried under the ground and debris accumulated over many centuries.

The first Pope to take the Colosseum under his protection was Benedict XIV (Pontiff from 1740 to 1758). He dedicated it to the Passion of Christ as a place stained with the blood of many Christian martyrs, and ordered a huge cross and a number of altars to be erected in the middle of the arena in memory of the tortures, the procession to Golgotha ​​and the death of the Savior on the cross. He (Benedict XIV) put an end to the centuries-old "robbery" of the Colosseum, forbidding the use of the building as a quarry.

In 1804, Carlo Fea, an archaeologist and curator of antiquities, after examining the monument of architecture, drew up a memorandum in which he noted the importance of immediate restoration work due to the danger of collapse of the walls. A year later, excavations began and a thorough examination of the amphitheater for reconstruction, which was led by the architect Camporesi. Throughout the time until 1939, the entire territory of the Colosseum was gradually cleared of debris and centuries-old layers of soil. The outer walls were also strengthened and the arena cleared.

In the second half of the 20th century, the position of the Colosseum deteriorated due to rainwater seepage, atmospheric pollution (mainly car exhaust) and vibration from heavy urban traffic. Researchers believe that from the VI to the XXI century, the Colosseum lost two-thirds of its original "volume". Of course, the main role in the destruction was played by the inhabitants of Rome themselves, who used the abandoned arena for a long time as a source of travertine for the construction of new buildings.

Spectacles in the arena of the Colosseum

In the arena of the amphitheater, the public was offered such entertainment spectacles as gladiator fights, baiting of wild animals, the killing of convicted criminals and the reconstruction of naval battles. The celebrations in honor of the opening of the Colosseum, organized by Emperor Titus in 80, lasted exactly 100 days. During this time, about 5,000 gladiators and 6,000 wild animals took part in the battles. Of these, 2,000 gladiators and 5,000 animals were killed.

People and animals wounded in battle lost a lot of blood, and so that the flooring of the arena did not become slippery, it was sprinkled with a layer of dry sand, which absorbed blood well. Such sand, saturated with blood, was called "harena", from which the word "arena" came.

Contrary to the opinion that Christians were allegedly executed in the Colosseum on a huge scale, there is something else - that all this is nothing more than successful propaganda of the Catholic Church, which at one time was in dire need of creating images of suffering and martyrdom. Of course, individual executions of Christians in the arena took place, but their number is considered to be deliberately overestimated.

Traditionally, the action in the arena of the Colosseum began in the morning with the performance of cripples and clowns, who entertained the audience with fake fights without bloodshed. Women also sometimes competed in shooting and weapons. Then there was the persecution of wild animals. By noon the executions began. Murderers, robbers, arsonists and robbers of temples were sentenced by Roman justice to the most cruel and shameful death in the arena. At best, they were given weapons and they had a ghostly chance against a gladiator, at worst, they were given to animals to be torn to pieces. Over time, such executions turned into real theatrical performances. Decorations were set up in the arena, and the criminals were dressed up in appropriate costumes.

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gladiator fights

The origin of gladiatorial games is still a matter of debate. There is a version that they are rooted in the Etruscan custom of sacrifice during the funeral of a noble person, when a warrior defeated in a fight was sacrificed in order to propitiate the spirit of the deceased. Historians believe that the first gladiatorial games were held in 246 BC by Marcus and Decimus Brutus in honor of their deceased father, Junius Brutus, as a gift for the dead.

Gladiators were criminals sentenced to death, prisoners of war, or slaves who were specially bought for this purpose and trained. Professional gladiators were also free people who volunteered to participate in the games, hoping to make money or gain fame. When concluding the first contract, the gladiator (if he had previously been a free man) received a one-time payment. With each re-extension of the contract, the amount increased significantly.

Gladiators were trained in special schools-barracks, originally owned by private citizens, but later became the property of the emperor in order to prevent the formation of private armies. So, the emperor Domitian built four similar barracks for gladiators near the Colosseum. They were adjoined by: training facilities, a hospital for the wounded, a morgue for the dead and a warehouse with weapons and food.

It is known that even individual Roman emperors entered the arena. So, the historian Aelius Lampridius at the beginning of the 5th century writes about the emperor Commodus: “He fought like a gladiator and received gladiatorial nicknames with such joy, as if they were given as a reward for triumphs. He always performed in gladiatorial games and ordered that reports of any of his performances be entered in official historical documents. It is said that he fought 735 times in the arena.” Emperors Titus and Adrian also liked to "play" in gladiators.

Archaeologists have deciphered several inscriptions found on the stones of the Colosseum under the arena. One of them says that "Flamm's gladiator received a wooden sword four times, but chose to remain a gladiator." The presentation of a wooden sword after the battle meant that the gladiator was granted freedom, which he had the right to refuse.

Scenarios of gladiator fights were different. Participants fought both one-on-one and teams for the survival of the strongest. The most spectacular and bloodthirsty was a group fight on the principle of "every man for himself", which ended when only one of the gladiators remained alive.

In the scope of gladiator fights, the record belongs to Trajan. He organized games lasting 123 days, in which 10 thousand gladiators took part. In total, during the years of Trajan's reign, 40,000 people died in the arena.

The lifestyle of the gladiators was close to the military: living in the barracks, strict discipline and daily training. For insubordination and non-compliance with the rules, the gladiators were severely punished. For those who fought well and won, there were special privileges: a special diet and an established daily routine that allowed them to maintain good physical shape. For victories, concubines were often brought as a reward to gladiators. Cash rewards for successful fights were at the disposal of the school. In harsh everyday life and endless games with death, gladiators, however, were not deprived of female attention and love. A lot of women, including many noble persons, burned with passion for strong courageous warriors.

Also in Rome there were specialized schools in which they taught to fight with wild animals, various sophisticated tricks and methods of killing them for the amusement of the audience. This category of warriors was called venatores. They were lower in rank than gladiators.

Harassing wild animals

The first mention of the persecution of wild animals in Rome dates back to 185 BC. Most likely, the new entertainment was borrowed during the Punic War with the Carthaginians, who had a custom to expose runaway slaves to fight against wild animals.

For persecution in the arena of the Colosseum, wild animals were brought to Rome from all over the empire. Not only predators such as lions, panthers and cheetahs were valued, but also exotic non-aggressive animals (such as zebras). The variety of animals was primarily a manifestation of imperial power. Over time, the persecution led to terrible consequences - some species simply became extinct (elephants in North Africa, hippos in Nubia, lions in Mesopotamia).

The day before the persecution, the animals were exhibited in a special place for the public to see. In Rome, it was a vivarium near the port. Then the animals were transported and placed in the premises of the hypogeum (under the arena of the amphitheater), where they waited in the wings to effectively rise to the surface of the arena on a special platform. In some representations, animals fought each other, such as a lion against a tiger, a bull or a bear. Sometimes the pairs were unequal: lions were placed against deer.

However, most animal persecution took place with the participation of a person. It was either a trained "hunter" (lat. venatores), armed with a spear or sword and protected by leather armor, or a "bestiary" (a convicted criminal who was sentenced to fight with a predatory beast). The criminal, as a rule, was armed only with a dagger, so that his chances of surviving in the arena were minimized. Usually the performance ended with a performance of tamed animals specially trained to perform tricks, similar to modern circus performances.

A peculiar record of bloodshed during persecution, as in gladiator fights, belongs to the emperor Trajan. In honor of his victory over the inhabitants of the Balkans, about 11 thousand different animals (elephants, hippos, tigers, horses, lions, giraffes, zebras and many others) were hunted down in the Colosseum.

Beast-baiting, the only bloody action of the era of Ancient Rome, which continued for a long time after the fall of the empire, although on a completely different scale. It is generally accepted that bullfights are rooted in animal baiting.

Naumachia (sea battles)

Naumachia (Greek Ναυμαχία) was a reconstruction of famous sea battles, in which the participants, as a rule, were criminals sentenced to death, less often - gladiators. The reconstructions required complete watertightness of the arena and a depth of about two meters. Naumachia were too costly, since the ships and all naval ammunition were extremely expensive, however, the public effect of their holding was colossal.

The first re-enactment of a naval battle in Roman history was funded by Julius Caesar, who wished to celebrate his triumphant military victory in Egypt with a grand spectacle. Caesar's naumachia was held in a temporary lake dug in the Campus Martius, where they recreated the battle between the Egyptians and the Phoenicians. The performance involved 16 galleys and 2,000 gladiators.

For the first time, naumachia in the Colosseum were placed immediately after the opening. They mostly reenact famous historical battles, such as the Greek victory over the Persians at the naval battle of Salamis, or the defeat of the Spartans in the Aegean in the Corinthian War.

Colosseum today

Having survived all the hardships, the Colosseum has long become a symbol of Rome and one of the most popular tourist sites in Italy. In 2007, the amphitheater was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. In October 2013, restoration work began, which will take place in three stages. As part of this project, at the first stage, dynamic vibrations to which the structure is exposed, being in close proximity to the metro line and the highway, will be monitored. The second stage will be devoted to the restoration of the inner area of ​​the Colosseum and a more comprehensive restoration of the underground facilities under the arena. Restoration work in the third phase will also include the construction of a tourist service center.

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Buying tickets to the Colosseum

Throughout the day, there is a long queue in front of the entrance to the Colosseum, in which you can easily stand for several hours. Therefore, it is better to buy tickets in one of the following ways:

1) the fact is that the Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine have a common ticket. Thus, buying a ticket to the Forum almost without a queue, you calmly go to the Colosseum, which is located relatively close. The ticket is valid for 2 days (each attraction can only be visited once). Ticket price - 12 euros.

2) you can buy an electronic ticket in advance on the site rome-museum.com (the Russian version of the site is available). Such a ticket is also complex (except for the Colosseum, it includes a visit to the Palatine and the Forum). The only inconvenience of an e-ticket is that it is necessary to indicate the date of the visit, which means that your visit will depend on the weather. The ticket is also valid for 2 days, but the price includes a sales commission and is 16 euros. You can also purchase a ticket with an audio guide for 21 euros. As an audio guide, they give out iPods with audio and video clips. After payment, you will receive an e-mail with a purchase notification. The e-ticket itself will come in the next letter a day or two after payment. Attention! The received e-ticket must be printed! The option to display it on the phone screen will not work. Then, when you are on the spot (near the Colosseum), you need to exchange your e-ticket for a standard ticket.

Important! At the beginning of 2014, the Colosseum administration announced the launch of a special application for phones, with which it would be possible to buy tickets, but we do not yet have details. If you know them, we will be grateful for the information provided in the comments.

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schedule

from 02.01 to 15.02 - Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 16:30
from 16.02 to 15.03 - Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 17:00
from 16.03 to 31.03 - Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 17:30
from 01.04 to 31.08 - Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 19:15
from 01.09 to 30.09 - Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 19:00
from 01.10 to 31.10 - the Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 18:30
from 01.11 to 31.12 - the Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 16:30