Where is the Colosseum?
Quick answer
The Colosseum is in the center of Rome, Italy, near the Roman Forum. Built between about AD 70 and 80 under Emperors Vespasian and Titus, it’s the largest amphitheater ever built, holding an estimated 50,000–80,000 spectators. Its original name was the Flavian Amphitheater, after the emperors’ family.
Key facts
- City
- Rome, Italy
- Built
- About AD 70–80
- Capacity
- An estimated 50,000–80,000
- Size
- About 189 m long, 156 m wide, 48 m tall
What happened inside
| Event | Description |
|---|---|
| Gladiator fights | Trained fighters, often enslaved people or prisoners, fought each other |
| Animal hunts (venationes) | Lions, bears, elephants and other animals from across the empire |
| Executions | Criminals were put to death as public spectacle |
| Reenactments | Famous battles and myths |
At the opening games in AD 80, celebrations lasted 100 days. Ancient writers say thousands of animals were killed.
Engineering marvels
- 80 entrances let crowds enter and leave quickly; tickets showed which gate and section to use
- A huge cloth awning, the velarium, shaded spectators, operated by sailors
- The hypogeum, a maze of underground tunnels and cages, with lifts to raise animals and scenery into the arena
- Built with travertine stone, tuff, brick and Roman concrete
Why is it ruined?
Earthquakes, especially one in 1349, brought down parts of the outer wall. For centuries, people took its stone to build palaces, churches and bridges. The holes all over its walls are where metal clamps were pried out.
The name
The name “Colosseum” probably comes from the Colossus of Nero, a giant bronze statue that once stood nearby.
Visiting
The Colosseum is one of the world’s most visited monuments. Tickets usually also cover the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, and booking ahead is advised. It’s part of Rome’s UNESCO World Heritage historic center and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
For another great Roman building, see who built the Pantheon. For the Romans’ language, see what language the ancient Romans spoke.
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