Even though it was built in the 1st century AD, the Colosseum in Rome remains the largest amphitheater in the world today. It’s also the most popular tourist attraction in the city. It’s the iconic relic of the Roman Empire that still exists and is known for the various spectacles that took place inside, including the gladiatorial games. If you’re thinking about visiting the Colosseum to see it for yourself or you just want to learn more about it, here are some fun facts to consider.
1. As Big As a Stadium
For the ancient world, a city that held 50,000 people was considered to be a metropolis. For the Colosseum, that was how many people it could hold for the shows that were held on a regular basis. To accommodate that many people, more than 80 different entrances were built into the structure so audiences could filter in at a comfortable place. Considering that the events were generally free and food was handed out during the shows, who wouldn’t want to go see a spectacle.
2. A Field of Blood
The last gladiatorial fights are believed to have taken place at the Colosseum in the 5th century, just as the Roman Empire was beginning to wind down and break apart. Over the centuries of its existence, it is believed that more than 500k people lost their lives in some form of “game” or “spectacle” that was held. Another 1 million animals are believed to have been killed. It wasn’t always a sporting spectacle either. It is believed that those who refused to follow Rome’s rules and were sentenced for a capital crime would be fed to the lions in front of the crowd.
3. Thank the Jews
It wasn’t the Romans who built the Colosseum. It was actually the Jews that Rome took as slaves from Judea about 30 years after the crucifixion of Jesus. The Jewish slaves needed just 9 years to build the structure and what they could do with it after completion was outstanding. It was even possible to flood the floor of the Colosseum to stage naval battles as entertainment. It’s no wonder that the festivals of the games could last upwards of 100 days at times.
4. A Place for Slaves
Over the years, society has glamorized the lives of gladiators that fought in the Colosseum, but we often forget one fact: they were slaves. This means that slaves built the structure so that other slaves could be presented for entertainment purposes. It is true that there were several gladiators that were loved and respected by the crowds, but at the very core of the games was the fact that their lives were considered to be expendable.
5. A Place of Worship
Many Christians believe that the Colosseum was a place where their counterparts in history were persecuted and even executed for their faith, but that hasn’t stopped them from using it as a place of worship over the years. A cross, in fact, stood on the grounds of the Colosseum for several centuries until it was removed in the late 19th century when efforts to preserve Roman architecture were enforced by the Italian government. Mussolini would eventually replace the cross in 1926, but only because he was trying to placate the local Catholic population.
6. Extinction Level Events
It would take another century before the animal events would stop being put on display at the Colosseum, ending in the early 6th century. With over 1 million animals killed, including over 9,000 alone on the opening day of the Colosseum, it is believed that entire animal species from North Africa were caused to go extinct because of the Roman Empire. Tigers, jaguars, and lions were especially popular and essentially wiped from the Mediterranean area.
7. An Extensive Underground
One of the most unique aspects about the Colosseum was the underground section that was underneath the main floor. It has 32 animal pens and 80 vertical shafts that allowed an instant access to the arena so that scenery could be placed or animals could be released to be put on display. The network underground had two levels to it with plenty of tunnels that allowed for a fast transportation of resources so that the show could always go on.
8. Different Season Tickets
The seating arrangements in the Colosseum were unique. They were based on the classes of people in society, so the best seats in the house were reserved for the most important people. The senators and ruling class were allowed to sit right along the field. Other government officials sat behind the senators, while soldiers and male citizens sat behind them. The women and the slaves held the lowest social class in Rome and so were banished to the very top of the Colosseum seating.
9. Think Outside of the Box
Although it could be said that taxpayer money was being used to sponsor the games, the Emperor was generally seen as the one responsible for making the games happen. The Emperor had a specific box in the Colosseum that was used to see the spectacles first-hand. The games that were put on were often done as a way to make sure that popularity levels remained high so that the Emperor could remain in office.
10. A Bad Exit
One of the most dreaded experiences for those who had to play the games of the Colosseum was to leave through the “West Exit.” This was the gate that was used to remove the bodies of those who had competed and died in the games. It was also referred to as the Gate of Death.
The Colosseum has had a fascinating history that covers nearly 2,000 years of time and still stands strong today despite two major earthquakes in its history. Keep these facts in mind when you visit this popular site and you will be amazed at the perspective that it gives you.
