Ten interesting facts about the Colosseum

Today, the Colosseum is a treasured destination for travelers from all over the world. Situated in Rome’s central district, visitors come to marvel at its majestic ruins that have stood as an indelible symbol of Roman history for centuries. Despite extensive alterations over the years due to natural calamities such as earthquakes and fires, visitors can still marvel at the Colosseum’s remaining ruins. Exploring its subterranean passages and chambers – known as hypogea – is a worthwhile experience where gladiators, beasts of prey or even entertainers resided during antiquity. They can also climb to the top of the Colosseum and enjoy panoramic views of Rome from its highest level. The Colosseum has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status and recognized as an enduring testament to the might of ancient Rome. It is regarded as a veritable icon of the imperial glory and power that was once displayed by this mighty civilization.

Did you know these 10 interesting facts about the Colosseum?

1. The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is a massive amphitheatre located in the center of Rome, Italy. It was built between 70 and 80 AD, during the reign of the emperors Vespasian and Titus. Today the Colosseum is just a third part of the original constructions, however it is still the symbol of the great and glorious story of Rome. The name Colosseum was born in the middle age: The most relevant theory about this nickname is due to the colossal statue of the Emperor Nero that was located nearby the Anfiteatro. Others say that this nickname is related to the area where it was built, an hill that hosted the temple of Isis, so Collis Isei, the hill of isis.

2. The Colosseum was designed to hold up to 50,000 spectators, and it was used for a variety of events, including gladiator fights, animal hunts, and public executions. The nauromachy were also held inside for a period, representations of naval battles in the water which, however, did not have the same success as the games with the gladiators. According to Martin Crapper, a lecturer in civil and environmental engineering at the University of Edinburgh, the water flowed through a series of internal wells and pipes underneath the grandstands. About 7 hours were needed to fill the whole arena.

3. For several centuries, botanist experts have been studying the flora that has grown spontaneously inside the Colosseum. More than 350 different species of plants have taken root in the ruins, some of which are of exotic origin and whose growth would be favored by the amphitheater’s microclimate.

4. The Colosseum was constructed with a complex system of underground tunnels and rooms, known as the hypogeum, which were used to house gladiators, animals, and other performers. During the 13th century the Frangipane family used the Colosseum as fortress and they lived there!

5. The Colosseum was made from a combination of concrete and stone, and it was covered in marble, which gave it a beautiful white appearance. The exterior of the Colosseum was adorned with statues and other decorative elements. Marble from the facade and some interior parts of the Colosseum were used for the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica and also for civic buildings such as Palazzo Barberini. Having been abandoned for a long time, the Colosseum was used as a quarry for materials.

6. The Colosseum was severely damaged by a series of earthquakes and fires over the centuries, and much of the original structure has been lost. However, the remaining ruins are still an impressive sight to behold, and the Colosseum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome.

7. The Colosseum was used for gladiator fights for over four centuries, and it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives in the arena. The numbers are not only those above the entrance arches to recognize the entrances, also called you will vomit, but they are also the incredible numbers relating to animals and people killed. An estimated 1 million animals and 400,000 people lost their lives in the Colosseum in less than 4 centuries. Of all the uses made of the Colosseum, the most macabre and particular is certainly that made by brigands. In fact many murder victims were buried right here.

8. The Colosseum was not just used for entertainment purposes. It was also used as a place of political propaganda, with the emperors using the games to demonstrate their power and wealth to the people of Rome.

9. The Colosseum was designed with a series of awnings, called the velarium, which could be used to shade the spectators from the sun. On sunny days, the Colosseum was covered by a veil made up of about 80 triangular sails, controlled by 320 support ropes. The reason is easy to understand: to avoid sunstroke to the spectators during the midday shows considering that the average temperature at those times was 2 degrees Celsius higher. The velarium was operated by a team of sailors, who used a system of ropes and pulleys to raise and lower the awnings.

10. The Colosseum’s enduring influence on architecture and entertainment can be seen in the numerous amphitheatres and sports stadiums that have been inspired by its design. The Colosseum’s unique combination of size, functionality, and beauty made it a model for future amphitheatres and arenas.
As one of the greatest examples of Roman engineering, the Colosseum demonstrates the ingenuity and skill of the ancient Roman architects and builders. Its construction techniques and materials, such as the use of concrete and the complex system of underground tunnels and rooms, have been studied and admired by architects and engineers for centuries.
The Colosseum’s design has been adapted and incorporated into the design of many modern sports stadiums and amphitheatres around the world. For example, the Elland Road Stadium in Leeds, England, and the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City both feature architectural elements inspired by the Colosseum. The Colosseum in Los Angeles, California, and the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, are both named after the Colosseum and incorporate elements of its design in their architecture.
In addition to its influence on the design of physical structures, the Colosseum has also had a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. Its use as a venue for gladiator fights, plays, and other performances has inspired the development of modern sports and entertainment venues, such as arenas and stadiums. The Colosseum’s legacy as a place of entertainment and spectacle continues to be felt today.