Mind Blowing Facts About The Roman Colosseum

There was a massive amount of people involved in the construction!

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Following their triumph in the initial Jewish-Roman conflict, the Colosseum was soon under construction! Spanning between seven and eight long years, probably due to their lack of modern technology, the building of the Colosseum was monumental. Estimates suggest that anywhere between 60,000 to 100,000 people were employed for this enormous project.

Not all the workers voluntarily helped...

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The Colosseum soon became an iconic structure of ancient Rome. But the history of the building is shrouded in shame. We know how many people it took to build the venue, but nearly all of them were slaves, many of whom were of Jewish descent. The individuals were assured of their liberation, motivating them to work quickly and complete the task in less than nine years.

There was free entry for Ancient Romans

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While charging entry fees for sporting or music events at arenas is a given nowadays, ancient Romans enjoyed the privilege of free admission to the Colosseum. The attendees were even provided with food and beverages throughout the duration of the event. The emperors of ancient Rome were known to employ a particular strategy in their quest for popularity and support across the vast Roman empire!

It wasn't always called the Colosseum...

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The Flavian Amphitheater was the original name of the Colosseum and was originally constructed by the Flavian dynasty's emperors Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. This grand structure stands as a testament to their reign, replacing the infamous Nero as a symbol of power and architectural prowess. The name "Colosseum" is believed to have been derived from the colossal bronze statue of Emperor Nero, which was once located close by.

The Colosseum had movable shades to block out the sun

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The Colosseum was definitely a triumph of architecture at the time that it was built, and they employed loads of features to help aid the guest experience while watching gladiator fights. One of the features they used was movable shades that were designed to cover the entire structure, offering much-needed relief from the scorching sun. It really was nothing short of spectacular.

The thumbs up originates from the Colosseum

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The origin of the popular greeting or response of a thumbs up can be traced back to the Colosseum, believe it or not. The hand signal indicated that the gladiator was to meet his demise through the jugular vein, a method of execution. They also asked guests whether they thought the gladiator would survive, and if they didn't, a thumbs down was used!

The materials of the Colosseum were used elsewhere

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It's fascinating to note that certain elements of the iconic Colosseum, such as the marble facade and other materials, were repurposed during the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. The statement highlights the significance of establishing a concrete connection between ancient and modern Rome. It's amazing to see them recycle unused material like that!

Guests of the Colosseum were separated by class

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Given that the Colosseum was built mainly by Jewish slaves, it's no surprise that class division was a huge element back in Ancient Rome. It's believed that seating at the Colosseum was divided up in order to separate different classes. Class segregation was a massive thing of the past, something that's become less and less common in modern times.

The Colosseum has been damaged by earthquakes

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Throughout its history, the Colosseum has been no stranger to disaster. It has endured the ravages of fires on at least three occasions, leaving its mighty walls scarred. Also, the Colosseum has been shaken by the force of at least four earthquakes, challenging its resilience and standing as a testament to human engineering and endurance. It really is mighty!

They often martyred Christians at the Colosseum

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Over the years, the Colosseum claimed the lives of thousands of individuals, and among them were committed Christians. However, it's important to note that there's currently no definitive historical proof to establish a direct link between the tales of Christian martyrs and the Colosseum. It's hard to prove or disprove these theories considering the length of time that's passed.

Mock sea battles were very much a thing

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In ancient Roman, the Colosseum served various purposes, one of which was hosting mock sea battles. These spectacles provided a captivating experience for the ordinary citizens of Rome, who had limited opportunities to witness naval conflicts. In order to create a more authentic spectacle, organizers of the Colosseum events decided to divert water into the grounds of the ancient amphitheater.

They used exotic animals in the theatrics of the Colosseum

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It wasn't just gladiators and Christians that were forced into the Colosseum against their will! Back in the "good old days", it wasn't uncommon for exotic animals to be brought in specifically for the purpose of participating in fights and hunts. The extensive list of animals includes lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and panthers, many of which are now endangered.

Loads of people lost their lives in the Colosseum

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The Colosseum was renowned for hosting brutal battles and gladiator contests so unsurprisingly witnessed a massive number of fatalities. According to estimates, approximately 50,000 individuals lost their lives in the arena, while the Colosseum witnessed the demise of over a million wild animals. The rate of slaughter at the arena played a significant role in the decline of tiger, lion, and jaguar populations. Claims suggest species of wildlife were eradicated from regions such as North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Why was the arena covered in sand?

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A lot of thought was put into the building of the Colosseum, including how much sand they used. This sandy surface was not just for aesthetic appeal, but to fulfil a practical need - absorbing the bloodshed that happened. From the fierce battles between gladiators to the brutal encounters with wild animals, and even the grim fate of criminals sentenced to execution, the sand played a vital role in soaking up and concealing the gruesome aftermath.

Fighting wasn't the only use of the Colosseum...

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After the conclusion of the games, the Romans ingeniously repurposed the underground space, transforming it into a bustling hub for various activities. After all, it would be a waste of the building! They utilized this underground for a number of reasons including living quarters, cultivating lush gardens, conducting business transactions and operating workshops.

They even tried it out as a wool factory!

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They didn't just stop there with the activities though. During the late 16th century, an intriguing proposal was put forth by Pope Sixtus V regarding the iconic Colosseum. The Pope envisioned transforming this ancient amphitheater into a wool factory, where prostitutes could engage in alternative forms of employment. This unconventional idea sought to provide new opportunities for marginalized individuals.

There's more than meets the eye to the Colosseum

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When mentioning the Colosseum it's definitely worth noting that the Colosseum boasts a literal underground section. The Hypogeum, also referred to as the underground complex, consisted of a series of tunnels spanning two levels. This is where they hosted 32 animal pens. The arena featured an infrastructure of 80 vertical shafts, providing instant access to the arena for the purpose of shifting animals and scenery during shows.

It was originally built upon a lake!

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The massive structure was actually constructed on a man-made lake. Emperor Nero is famously known for constructing an immense villa during his reign and after his suicide in 68 CE, the Senate expressed a strong desire to eliminate any references associated with him. In a bold move, Emperor Vespasian made the decision to drain the lake and transform the land into an arena.

There's so many ways into the Colosseum

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The Colosseum boasts an impressive 80 numbered entrances. This architectural feature enables a swift and efficient exit for spectators seated in the bottom and middle rows, allowing them to vacate the premises within 5-6 minutes. This arrangement provided the higher-class attendees with the opportunity to depart without having to engage with individuals from lower social classes.

The exit to the West was called the Gate of Death

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As you're by now aware, there were loads of entrances and exits to the Colosseum, but many were used for various reasons. It just so happens that the west exit of the arena was famously known as the Gate of Death due to its association with deceased gladiators, who were ritually carried out through this archway. It must've been a phenomenal and life-changing sight to see.

It's the biggest of its kind!

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The Colosseum is known as the largest amphitheater globally. The structure measures an impressive 189 meters in length, 156 meters in width, and an astonishing 50 meters in height. You can purchase official Colosseum tickets to have the opportunity to witness its grandeur firsthand. Whether you decide to explore Rome at night or during the day, the Colosseum stands as a magnificent testament to ancient Roman architecture and history.

Once becoming a gladiator, fighters were stripped of their rights

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Although they weren't officially slaves, there was similarities between that of slaves and gladiators. Gladiators were known to be members of the infame class and were subjected to a harsh reality upon becoming a gladiator, whether willingly or as a consequence for their crimes. In this brutal world, they were stripped of all their rights and reduced to mere property, completely at the mercy of their owners.

The Colosseum loves its flowers

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The Colosseum has captivated not only historians and archaeologists but also eccentric botanists! Since 1642, researchers have documented the various plant species that have thrived within the grounds of this ancient amphitheater, which now lies in ruins. The current count hovers around 337. It's one of the most breath-taking and beautiful sights in the world.

A TV replica of the Colosseum was built for entertainment

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In order to capture the grandeur and historical significance of the iconic Colosseum, a remarkable replica was meticulously constructed in the picturesque country of Malta for TV and filming purposes. This structure served as the perfect backdrop for filming, allowing filmmakers to recreate the magnificence of ancient Rome on the silver screen. It costs around $1 million to build and stands at a height of 52 feet.

The only reason the gladiator fights stopped was money...

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Contrary to popular belief, the ceasing of gladiator fights was not solely due to the Empire's shift towards Christianity. The determining factor, rather, was the cost. By the 5th century, the Colosseum had fallen into a state of decay, mirroring the decline of the Roman Empire. The once magnificent structure faced numerous challenges, including a scarcity of resources required for its maintenance, the payment of gladiators, and the provision of wild animals.

Each level of the Colosseum has 80 arches on each level

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The Colosseum's impressive exterior is adorned with three tiers of columns representing the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders. These columns are meticulously arranged, with each level featuring a total of 80 arches. This architectural marvel stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of ancient Rome. Out of these, a total of 76 of them are marked with Roman numerals, which can still be seen above them in certain locations.

It didn't become a tourist attraction until the 1920s

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It wasn't until really late on that the Colosseum was recognized as the perfect tourist attraction. In the 1920s, the Colosseum gained popularity as a prominent tourist destination, largely due to the influence of Benito Mussolini's leadership in Italy. His objective was to enhance the attractiveness of Italy for international tourists, so encouraged guests to come and see the battle arena in all its glory.

The Colosseum is nearly 2,000 years old

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The construction of the Colosseum, one of the most iconic structures in ancient Rome, commenced in 72 AD and was successfully concluded in 80 AD. That makes the Colosseum almost 2,000 years old, meaning that its withstood time and plenty of disasters and still manages to stand upright. Not many man-made structures have been known to last this long, so it's pretty impressive.

The building has a surface area of 6 acres!

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The Colosseum is renowned for its distinctive oval shape. The dimensions of the structure are 189 meters in length, 156 meters in width, and 48.5 meters in height. The entire building boasts a vast surface area spanning 6 acres. It really isn't hard to believe that this is one of the biggest in the world, and would have been a massive spectacle back in 80 AD.

Over four million people visit the Colosseum every year

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The Colosseum now attracts an impressive number of tourists each year. With over 4 million visitors annually, this ancient amphitheater continues to captivate people from all around the world. The Colosseum is widely regarded as the country's most popular tourist attraction and is also recognized as one of the most renowned landmarks globally. No surprise really!

Your top tips for visiting the Roman colosseum

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To make the most out of your visit to Rome and visiting this historical monument, you need to know some important tips beforehand. The colosseum is a huge tourist attraction, and especially if you're visiting during peak times, it's handy to know how you can make the best of the experience to make sure you don't miss anything and enjoy stress-free!

You might want to book a guided tour to get the best experience

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As we've just pointed out, there is a TON of history and meaning behind the colosseum, and if you really want to make the best of your visit and know what you're exploring, you might want to think about booking a guided tour. If you're really interested in history, this is a must, but you're of course free to roam about on your own without any historical facts being explained!

Get your ticket online so you can avoid the queue

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Most people these days like to buy their tickets online in advance anyway, and it's no different for your colosseum experience. This is a must if you want to avoid queuing up for your ticket when you arrive, and especially when its busy (and hot!). So if you like planning your trips ahead of time anyway, make sure to buy your ticket from the official colosseum website.

Give yourself enough time to look around

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It's hard to judge how long things will take when you're visiting places, but on average it will take you an hour to comfortably look around. If you have mobility issues or if you just really like to take your time, allow yourself a little longer. It's up to you how long you think you'll need, but if you're one for a strict schedule, a guided tour will be your best bet to see everything in time!

And don't forget about the other historical attractions nearby you need to see!

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A lot of people forget this when visiting the colosseum, because it's the huge draw for tourists due to its fame. But there are actually a few other historical locations very close to the colosseum that you should consider fitting into your itinerary - because you'll be in the area anyway! Not only that, but your ticket includes the price for those, too: Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. You can set aside a whole day of sightseeing with all these places.

Avoid July and August if you don't like crowds

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We all know that July is pretty much peak travel time wherever you go in the world, and for the colosseum, July and August are going to be your biggest peak crowds for visiting this famous historical site. So if crowds and peak times are a huge no no for you, be sure you plan your visit for anything but July and August! Unless that's the only time you can go, of course (because it's worth it!).

Early or late in the day is best for quiet times

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If you want to minimize crowds as much as possible for your visit to the colosseum and want a bit more space (and peace) to take it all in, then your best bet is to go either very early in the day or very late in the day. You don't want to be rocking up to the colosseum entrance at noon, because that's likely to be the busiest time. So plan ahead for your preferred arrival time, too.

Don't forget about the underground area!

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One thing a lot of people might not know when buying their general admission ticket is that it actually doesn't include exploration of the underground area. You'll need to buy a separate ticket to have a tour of the underground space, and it's something you wont' want to meet (the stone passageways fighters and animals used as the arena floor). Most official guided tours will include this area in the ticket price, so another reason to book a tour instead of going it alone!

Be careful of pickpockets in the area

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As with anywhere that's a peak tourist spot, pickpockets are going to be trying their luck. And because the colosseum is so distracting in tourists taking everything in, it means you can easily fall victim to someone trying to pickpocket you. This can also easily happen right at the entrance when you're going in or coming out, as pickpockets might hang out there, too.

It's actually free on certain days of the year

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If you're really trying to save money, but the colosseum is on your bucket list, don't worry - there are actually days of the year you can get free entry! This applies to every first Sunday of every month of the year. The only issue with this is that obviously a lot of people are going to be going on those days for that reason, so you might be in for big crowds and a long wait.

You'll want to pack your walking shoes

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It might not feel like walking around the colosseum is too demanding when you're going at a leisurely place and not planning for a hike, but you're definitely going to need comfortable walking shoes. It's bigger than you think, and the last thing you want is aching feet ruining your trip to one of the most fascinating historical sites in the world!

You can actually have a night tour

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Most people think about a daytime tour when they visit the colosseum, as it's just natural to plan it as something to do during the day. But did you know you can actually have a guided night tour of the colosseum? An altogether more intimate vibe, and also more comfortable if you don't like the peak day heat. If you want to experience everything the colosseum has to offer, you could even book a day and a night tour!

Arrive at least 15 minutes early for your online ticket booking

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If you book your ticket online in advance for a set entrance time, give yourself enough extra time for your arrival rather than just arriving at the ticket time. You might get delayed or you might just feel less stressed giving yourself that extra time, but it also helps with the flow of people coming in and out. You can arrive about 10-15 minutes before, and it'll take a few minutes to get in.

There's more than one ticket type: so get the right one!

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Make sure you're double checking which type of ticket you want so you don't buy the wrong one in advance and be disappointed! There are actually several options you can choose from, including the general 24 hour ticket which includes those other historical sites we spoke about, a guided tour, a non-guided tour, an audio guide rather than a physical guide and more!

Check the bag policy beforehand

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There is actually an official bag policy in place, and it's very strict about what types of bags are and aren't allowed in. Basically, any big bag - like a backpack or carry-on style suitcase - are not allowed, and not only that, you'll be refused entry if you have one! To avoid any drama and worries about your personal possessions, plan to to go the colosseum with just a small bag. There's no cloakroom for you to store anything, either!

And check the weather, too!

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Always check the forecast in advance on the morning of your visit to the colosseum, because you'll want to be prepared. The colosseum obviously doesn't have a roof or rain cover, and you don't want to be soaked and uncomfortable walking around! And it's not just about the bad weather, either - the colosseum is a sun trap so for extreme heat, pack sunscreen, wear a hat and protect yourself.

Be careful of taking prohibited items

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Just like the bag policy, there are certain things that are absolutely not permitted inside the colosseum, so you won't want to have these with you! As mentioned, there's no cloakroom, so you'll be caught short. The prohibited items include self sticks, anything deemed too sharp or that could be used as a weapon, as well as even spray bottles (which includes aerosol sunscreen instead of lotion!).

Be sure to take a water bottle with you

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You'll need to stay hydrated during your visit because it's a lot of walking and hot temperatures in peak seasons. The colosseum usually doesn't allow people to take in full water bottles, but take one to drink before you enter and you can carry the empty bottle around with you to easily fill at one of the many free public fountains around the colosseum, and around Rome!

You might want to consider visiting Rome during these months

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If you're easy about when you visit Rome, you might want to consider planning a visit from around the middle of March to the middle of May. This can be the best time due to avoiding peak crowds, peak prices and also having more comfortable weather - all of which can make a huge difference to how pleasant your visit to the colosseum will be!

Take photos!

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It goes without saying, but the colosseum really does need to be photographed - though even photos won't do it justice. You want to be armed with a high quality camera to get some good photos (though selfie sticks aren't allowed, remember) so plan for a good camera to take to Rome with you, and remember to charge your phone before you go there if you're planning on using your phone's camera! You don't want your battery to die when you step foot into the colosseum.