The Roman Colosseum, one of the most impressive buildings of the Roman Empire, has long served as a model for modern-day sports stadiums. Though the structure has been in ruins for many centuries, largely due to fires and earthquakes, it’s still an amazing presence in the city and is a must-see for every first-time visitor to the Eternal City. Recently named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, the Colosseum was also the site of ruthless games and fights staged by the Roman emperors. The brutality that happened there was seen as a sign of prestige and power for these men. Today, visitors to the Colosseum reflect not only on the remarkable architecture of the structure but also the cruelty of those ancient games.
Construction of the Colosseum began in 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD. The structure was built on the site of an artificial lake in a park in the center of Rome and near the colossus 130-foot-high statue of Nero, which is how the building got its name. The elliptical shaped amphitheater was originally 157 feet high, 617 feet long, and about 512 feet wide. Spectators entered through 80 arches on the ground floor. Above was an additional four stories. The first level – or podium – was reserved for Roman senators and the emperor himself. Directly above that level, seats were ear-marked for other Roman aristocracy. The third level featured an area for wealthy citizens and a separate one for the poorer residents of Rome. At the very top, a wooden area provided standing room for poor women and children. In all, the Colosseum accommodated about 50,000 people. The wooden arena floor was covered with sand. Tunnels allowed water to be flooded in and brought out of the Colosseum, so that mock naval battles could be staged. Below ground, cages housing wild animals were kept for use in gladiator battles. Like a modern day Astro-Dome, the Colosseum could be covered with an awning to shade spectators from the sun. The cover, known as a velarium, was made of canvas and was maneuvered into place by some 1,000 men, who anchored it to the ground with ropes.
Inside the Colosseum, the emperors staged cruel fights and games – supposedly for the joy of the spectators. Gladiators, who were usually slaves, prisoners of war, or condemned prisoners, were made to fight vicious animals – often to the death. The elliptical shape of the amphitheater made it impossible to hide in the corners! These games might have been held for an entire day, or even several days at a time. The end result was usually quite gruesome.
Today, little remains of the Colosseum, but it is still recognized as one of the most important monuments in Rome and is included on just about every guided tour of the city. A major restoration program which took place between 1993 and 2000 now makes a visit to the Colosseum safer and more enjoyable.
