The Colosseum in Rome - Flavian Amphitheatre. Coliseum

origin of name

Officially, the Roman arena was called the Flavian Amphitheatre. The attraction received its familiar name “Colosseum” only in the 8th century from the Latin word “colosseus”, which means “huge, colossal”. The popular belief that the name comes from the colossal 36-meter statue of Nero that stood nearby is erroneous.

Background to the construction of the Colosseum

To understand the reasons for the construction of the Colosseum, it is necessary to understand the situation that developed during the decade that preceded the start of construction. The Roman Great Fire of 64 AD cleared vast areas of the city, including the valley of three hills (Caelium, Palatine and Esquiline), where the amphitheater is located. Emperor Nero, taking advantage of the fire, seized a huge part of the vacated land for the construction of a palace complex, the size of which still remains a record for all royal residences ever built in Europe. According to various sources, Nero’s palace complex was located on an area of ​​40 to 120 hectares and was so striking in its splendor that it was later called the “Golden House of Nero.” For its construction, the emperor greatly increased taxes. The despotism and arbitrariness of Nero, together with the complete removal from the administration of the empire, led to a state conspiracy. A rare situation arose when the emperor managed to turn all the social strata of ancient Roman society against himself at once. Realizing that his fate was sealed, Nero committed suicide.

The new Emperor Vespasian, being a subtle politician and pragmatist, understood how important it was to gain the support of the Roman crowd. The recipe was simple - you need to provide “bread and circuses.” Where the palace complex for Nero was located, Vespasian decides to build a huge structure for the population of Rome. The symbolism is obvious. The choice fell on the project of building a new grandiose amphitheater. It was especially important to realize the conceived idea in connection with Vespasian’s desire to become the founder of the imperial Flavian dynasty. The amphitheater was to become a family monument for centuries.

Financing the construction

The wasteful Nero ruined the treasury, so Vespasian had to find funds for construction as quickly as possible. At this very time, to their great misfortune, the Jews rebelled against Roman rule. Vespasian and his son Titus took advantage of the opportunity to brutally suppress the rebellion and at the same time plunder Jerusalem. A particularly rich haul was the city's religious complex called the Temple Mount, the main attraction of which at that time was the Second Temple of Jerusalem. 30 thousand captives were sold as slaves, and another 100 thousand were sent to Rome for the most difficult work of extracting stone from the quarry and transporting it to the construction site of the Colosseum. It turns out that the backstory of the Colosseum is as bloody and cruel as the events that subsequently took place in its arena.

Of course, ordinary citizens also felt the grandiose construction of the greatest of Roman buildings. The empire raised old taxes and introduced new ones. There was even a tax on toilets, which gave rise to the expression “Money doesn’t smell.” This is exactly how Vespasian responded to his son Titus when he questioned the moral aspect of the new tax.

Construction and architecture of the Colosseum

Coliseum- the most grandiose ancient amphitheater. Its dimensions:

• length of the outer ellipse - 524 meters;
• major axis - 187 meters;
• minor axis - 155 meters;
• length of the arena (also elliptical) - 85 meters;
• arena width - 53 meters;
• wall height - 48 meters;
• foundation thickness - 13 meters.

Construction of the Colosseum began in '72 during the reign of Vespasian, it was completed and consecrated under his son Emperor Titus in '80. During this historical period, more than one million inhabitants lived in Rome. The amphitheater had to be large enough to accommodate 50 thousand viewers and at the same time strong enough to withstand the weight of its own gravity. The solution to this problem was clearly demonstrated by the genius of Roman architectural thought. Many engineering solutions that were used in the construction of the Colosseum were revolutionary.

clue: If you want to find an inexpensive hotel in Rome, we recommend checking out this special offers section. Typically discounts are 25-35%, but sometimes reach 40-50%.

The engineering idea of ​​the amphitheater is simple and ingenious. The frame of the structure is a solid structure of intersecting radial (extending from the arena in all directions) and concentric (surrounding the arena) walls. A total of 80 gradually rising radial and 7 concentric walls were erected. Above them were rows for spectators.

The outer concentric wall of the amphitheater includes four tiers, the first three of which have 80 seven-meter-high arches. The first tier is decorated with decorative semi-columns of the Tuscan order, the second tier - Ionic, the third - Corinthian. The last fourth tier is a solid wall (without arches) with small rectangular windows. Bronze shields were placed in the spaces between the windows, and statues were installed in the arched openings of the second and third floors.

The use of arches, the peculiarity of which is the ability to reduce the weight of the entire structure, was the only correct and possible engineering solution for such high walls. Another advantage of arched structures was their uniformity, which greatly simplified the construction of the entire structure. The arched sections were created separately, and only then assembled together as a construction set.

Construction Materials

The load-bearing radial and concentric walls of the amphitheater are made of natural limestone, known as travertine. It was mined near Tivoli (35 km from Rome). Researchers believe that the same 100 thousand captives captured as a result of the suppression of the Jewish uprising worked at the stage of extraction, delivery and primary processing of travertine. Then the stone fell into the hands of Roman craftsmen. The quality of their processing, as well as the level of construction in general, is simply amazing. Notice how exactly the huge stones fit together.

All the travertine blocks were connected to each other with iron clamps, which were removed in the Middle Ages, which greatly weakened the structure of the entire structure. It is estimated that 300 tons of metal were spent on the brackets holding the walls together. Now in their place there are gaping holes in the preserved walls.

In addition to travertine, used for load-bearing radial and concentric walls, during the construction of the Colosseum, Roman engineers widely used volcanic tuff, brick and concrete, the advantage of which was relative lightness. For example, tuff blocks were intended for the upper tiers of the amphitheater, and concrete and brick were well suited for partitions and ceilings inside the structure.

- group tour (up to 10 people) for a first acquaintance with the city and main attractions - 3 hours, 31 euros

- immerse yourself in the history of Ancient Rome and visit the main monuments of antiquity: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill - 3 hours, 38 euros

- history of Roman cuisine, oysters, truffle, pate and cheese during an excursion for real gourmets - 5 hours, 45 euros

Entrances to the Colosseum

The architectural and logistics solution used in the Colosseum is used in the construction of stadiums to this day - many entrances are located evenly along the entire perimeter of the structure. Thanks to this, the public could fill the Colosseum in 15 minutes and leave in 5.

In total, the Colosseum had 80 entrances, of which 4 were intended for senators and members of the magistrate, 14 for equestrians, 52 for all other social categories. The entrances for the horsemen were called southern, northern, western and eastern, while the other 76 had their own serial number (from I to LXXVI). If you look closely, some of them can be seen even today. Each spectator, depending on his social status, received a ticket (report card), which indicated not only his place, but also which entrance he should use.

The more important a person was, the easier it was for him to get to his place. In addition, the corridors and stairs of the amphitheater were planned in such a way that people of different classes did not collide with each other. Such a well-thought-out system practically eliminated crowding.

Seats for spectators

The Roman Colosseum could accommodate up to 50,000 people at a time. The spectators were seated in strict accordance with the social hierarchy. The lower row, or podium, was reserved for senators and members of the magistrate. Here, although on a slight elevation, was the emperor’s box. Behind the podium there was a tier for horsemen, and then a tier with seats for those who had the status of citizens in the Roman Empire. The next tier is for the plebs and women. The last was the standing tier for slaves and non-noble foreigners. It turns out that the Colosseum was a miniature model of Roman society.

Arena and hypogeum

There were two entrances to the arena: the “Gate of Triumph” (lat. Porta Triumphalis), through which gladiators and animals entered the arena and returned back with victory, and the “Gate of Libitina” (lat. Porta Libitinaria), named after the goddess of death and burials, and where the dead or wounded were taken.

Over time, the desire for more majestic spectacles in the arena of the Colosseum only increased. To keep the Roman crowd constantly happy and manageable required constant innovation. Just 5 years after the opening, the arena was completely reconstructed by Domitian, the second son of Vespasian. Domitian created an underground complex of unprecedented scale under the arena - the hypogeum. It consisted of a number of technical and utility rooms with a complex system of special passages and platforms (elevators) for lifting gladiators and animals into the arena. There were a total of 60 hatches and 30 platforms.

Thanks to the unique functionality of the hypogeum, the Colosseum arena could be modified depending on the scenario. Here real theatrical events took place, the purpose of which was to present death and murder even more colorful and vibrant. Decorations were erected to imitate nature or structures. Participants in the show, especially if it was a mass show, appeared at the most unexpected moment in extremely important places, which could seriously change the disposition of the fighting parties in the arena. Hypogeum took gaming to a higher level. Today this part of the Colosseum is the only one that has remained virtually undamaged by time.

Velarium (canopy)

On hot and rainy days, a velarium (canopy made of canvas) was stretched over the amphitheater, which was attached to 240 wooden masts installed in stone console posts of the upper fourth tier of the outer wall. The shed was operated by several thousand specially trained sailors who had previously served in the navy. Unfortunately, detailed information on exactly how the canopy functioned and how it was stretched has not been preserved.

History of the functioning of the Colosseum

The first repairs, as archaeological research has shown, were made after a fire during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (138–161). In 217, as a result of lightning striking the upper floor of the Colosseum, most of the amphitheater burned down. In 222, games were resumed in the arena, but the complete reconstruction of the structure was completed only in 240 under Emperor Gordian III, and a commemorative coin was issued on this occasion.

In 248, Emperor Philip organized grand celebrations for Rome's millennium at the Colosseum. In 262, the amphitheater was able to relatively successfully survive a strong earthquake. The second half of the 4th century was marked by the gradual decline of gladiatorial games under the influence of the spread of Christianity:

• in 357, Emperor Constantine II forbade Roman soldiers from voluntarily enrolling in gladiatorial schools after completing their service;
• in 365, Emperor Valentinian forbade judges from sentencing criminals to death in the arena;
• in 399 all gladiator schools were closed.

The reason for the final ban on gladiator fights was an incident described by Bishop Theodoret of Cyrrhus. In 404, a Christian monk from Asia Minor named Telemachus jumped into the arena and rushed towards the fighting gladiators, trying to separate them. This pious zeal cost him his life: an angry crowd attacked the peacemaker and tore the monk to pieces. However, Telemachus’s sacrifice was not in vain: under the impression of his martyrdom, Emperor Honorius forever banned gladiatorial games.

The capture of Rome by the Goths (410) led to the looting of the amphitheater, from which bronze decorations and decorative elements were removed. The last games (including only baiting of wild animals) were held by Flavius ​​Anicius Maximus in 523. Starting from the 6th century, the Colosseum, under the influence of natural elements, began to rapidly decline, its arena was overgrown with trees and grass, and wild animals found refuge under the stands.

During the Middle Ages, all knowledge about the purpose of the amphitheater was lost. People began to imagine that the grandiose structure was the temple of the Sun God. In special brochures for pilgrims who visited Rome, the Colosseum was described as a circular temple dedicated to various gods, and once covered with a dome of bronze or copper. Gradually, the entire space inside the amphitheater began to be built up with houses of small craftsmen and artisans. Also in the Middle Ages, there was a popular legend that the influential Frangipani family hid their treasures in the Colosseum.

In 1349, a powerful earthquake in Rome caused the collapse of the Colosseum, especially its southern part. After this, they began to look at the ancient landmark as a place of extraction of building material, and not only the stones that fell off, but also the stones deliberately broken out of it began to be used for the construction of new buildings. Many Roman mansions, palaces and temples were built from marble and travertine quarried from the ruins of the Colosseum.

Thus, in the 15th and 16th centuries, Pope Paul II used stone from the Colosseum to build the so-called Venetian Palace, Cardinal Riario - the Palace of the Chancery, and Paul III - the Pallazo Farnese. It is known that Sixtus V intended to use the Colosseum to set up a cloth factory, and Clement IX for a short period of time turned it into a plant for the extraction of saltpeter. Despite this consumerist attitude, a significant part of the amphitheater still survived, albeit in an extremely disfigured state.

Modern architectural studies of the Colosseum began around 1720, when Carlo Fontana surveyed the amphitheater and studied its geometric proportions. At this time, the first tier of the structure was already completely buried under the ground and debris accumulated over many centuries.

The first Pope to take the Colosseum under his protection was Benedict XIV (Pontiff from 1740 to 1758). He dedicated it to the Passion of Christ as a place stained with the blood of many Christian martyrs, and ordered a huge cross and a number of altars to be installed in the middle of the arena in memory of the torture, the procession to Calvary and the death on the cross of the Savior. He (Benedict XIV) put an end to the centuries-old “robbery” of the Colosseum, prohibiting the use of the building as a quarry.

In 1804, Carlo Fea, an archaeologist and curator of antiquities, having examined the architectural monument, drew up a memorandum in which he noted the importance of immediate restoration work due to the danger of the walls collapsing. A year later, excavations and a thorough examination of the amphitheater began for reconstruction, which was led by the architect Camporesi. Throughout the entire period until 1939, the entire territory of the Colosseum was gradually cleared of debris and centuries-old layers of soil. The outer walls were also strengthened and the arena was cleared.

In the second half of the 20th century, the condition of the Colosseum worsened due to rainwater infiltration, atmospheric pollution (mainly from car exhaust) and vibration from heavy urban traffic. Researchers believe that from the 6th to the 21st centuries, the Colosseum lost two-thirds of its original “volume”. Of course, the main role in the destruction was played by the inhabitants of Rome themselves, who used the abandoned arena for a long time as a source of travertine for the construction of new structures.

Spectacles in the Colosseum arena

The arena of the amphitheater offered the public such entertainment spectacles as gladiator fights, baiting of wild animals, the killing of convicted criminals and reenactments of naval battles. Celebrations in honor of the opening of the Colosseum, organized by Emperor Titus in 80, lasted exactly 100 days. During this time, about 5,000 gladiators and 6,000 wild animals took part in the battles. Of these, 2,000 gladiators and 5,000 animals were killed.

People and animals wounded in battle lost a lot of blood, and to prevent the flooring of the arena from becoming slippery, it was sprinkled with a layer of dry sand, which absorbed blood well. Such sand, soaked in blood, was called “harena”, from which the word “arena” came.

Contrary to the opinion that Christians were allegedly executed on a huge scale in the Colosseum, there is another thing - that all this is nothing more than successful propaganda of the Catholic Church, which at one time was in dire need of creating images of suffering and martyrdom. Of course, there were individual executions of Christians in the arena, but their number is considered to be deliberately overestimated.

Traditionally, the action in the Colosseum arena began in the morning with the performance of cripples and clowns, who entertained the audience with fake fights without bloodshed. Women also sometimes competed in shooting and weaponry competitions. Then the baiting of wild animals took place. By lunchtime the executions began. Murderers, robbers, arsonists and temple robbers were sentenced by Roman justice to the most cruel and shameful death in the arena. At best, they were given weapons and had a slim chance against a gladiator; at worst, they were given over to be torn to pieces by animals. Over time, such executions turned into real theatrical performances. Decorations were installed in the arena, and the criminals were dressed in appropriate costumes.

- evening lighting and unique lighting add extraordinary texture and mystery to architectural masterpieces - 3 hours, 29 euros

- cheeses, prosciutto, pizza, wine, pastries and other Italian delicacies - 4 hours, 65 euros

Gladiator fights

The origins of gladiatorial games are still a matter of debate. There is a version that they are rooted in the Etruscan custom of sacrifices during the funeral of a noble person, when a warrior defeated in a fight was sacrificed in order to appease the spirit of the deceased. Historians believe that the first gladiatorial games were held in 246 BC by Marcus and Decimus Brutus in honor of their deceased father, Junius Brutus, as a gift for the dead.

Gladiators were criminals sentenced to death, prisoners of war, or slaves who were specially bought for this purpose and trained. Professional gladiators were also free people who volunteered to participate in the games in the hope of earning money or gaining fame. By concluding the first contract, the gladiator (if he was previously a free man) received a one-time payment. Each time the contract was renewed, the amount increased significantly.

Gladiators were trained in special barracks schools, originally owned by private citizens, but later became the property of the emperor to prevent the formation of private armies. Thus, Emperor Domitian built four similar barracks for gladiators near the Colosseum. Adjoining them were: training premises, a hospital for the wounded, a morgue for the dead and a warehouse with weapons and food.

It is known that even individual Roman emperors entered the arena. Thus, the historian Aelius Lampridius writes about the Emperor Commodus at the beginning of the 5th century: “He fought like a gladiator and received gladiatorial names and nicknames with such joy, as if they were given as a reward for triumphs. He always performed in gladiatorial games and ordered that reports about each of his performances be included in official historical documents. They say he fought in the arena 735 times.” Emperors Titus and Hadrian also loved to “play” as gladiators.

Archaeologists have deciphered several inscriptions found on the stones of the Colosseum under the arena. One of them says that “the gladiator Flamm received a wooden sword four times, but chose to remain a gladiator.” Handing over a wooden sword after a fight meant that the gladiator was granted freedom, which he had the right to refuse.

Scenarios for gladiator battles were different. Participants fought both one-on-one and in squads for the survival of the fittest. The most spectacular and bloodthirsty was the group battle on the principle of “every man for himself”, which ended when only one of the gladiators remained alive.

The record for the scale of gladiator battles belongs to Trajan. He organized games lasting 123 days, in which 10 thousand gladiators took part. In total, during the years of Trajan's reign, 40,000 people died in the arena.

The lifestyle of gladiators was close to a military one: living in barracks, strict discipline and daily training. Gladiators were severely punished for disobedience and non-compliance with the rules. For those who fought and won well, there were special privileges: a special diet and an established daily routine that allowed them to maintain good physical shape. For victories, concubines were often brought to the gladiators as rewards. Monetary rewards for successful battles went to the school. In harsh everyday life and endless games with death, gladiators, however, were not deprived of women's attention and love. Many women, including many noble persons, burned with passion for strong, courageous warriors.

Also in Rome there were specialized schools that taught how to fight wild animals, various sophisticated tricks and methods of killing them for the amusement of spectators. This category of warriors was called venatores. They were of lower rank than gladiators.

Poisoning of wild animals

The first mention of baiting wild animals in Rome dates back to 185 BC. Most likely, the new entertainment was borrowed during the Punic War with the Carthaginians, who had a custom of putting runaway slaves in battle against wild animals.

For baiting in the Colosseum arena, wild animals were brought to Rome from all over the empire. Not only predators such as lions, panthers and cheetahs were valued, but also exotic non-aggressive animals (for example, zebras). The variety of beasts was primarily a manifestation of imperial power. Over time, the persecution led to dire consequences - some species simply became extinct (elephants in northern Africa, hippos in Nubia, lions in Mesopotamia).

The day before the baiting, the animals were exhibited in a special place for inspection by the public. In Rome it was a vivarium near the port. Then the animals were transported and placed in the hypogeum (under the amphitheater arena), where they waited in the wings to effectively rise to the surface of the arena using a special platform. In some performances, animals fought with each other, such as a lion against a tiger, a bull or a bear. Sometimes the pairs were unequal: lions were placed against deer.

However, most animal persecution took place with human participation. He was either a trained "hunter" (Latin venatores), armed with a spear or sword and protected by leather armor, or a "bestiary" (a convicted criminal who was sentenced to fight with a predatory beast). The criminal, as a rule, was armed only with a dagger, so that his likelihood of surviving in the arena was minimized. Usually the performance ended with the performance of tamed animals specially trained to perform tricks, similar to modern circus performances.

A unique record of bloodshed during persecution, as in gladiatorial battles, belongs to Emperor Trajan. In honor of his victory over the inhabitants of the Balkans, about 11 thousand different animals (elephants, hippos, tigers, horses, lions, giraffes, zebras and many others) were hunted at the Colosseum.

Baiting of animals, the only bloody action of the era of Ancient Rome, which continued long after the fall of the empire, although on a completely different scale. It is generally accepted that bullfighting has its roots in animal baiting.

Navachia (naval battles)

Naumachia (Greek Ναυμαχία) was a reconstruction of famous naval battles, in which the participants, as a rule, were criminals sentenced to death, less often gladiators. The reconstruction required complete waterproofing of the arena and a depth of about two meters. Navachias were too expensive, since ships and all naval equipment were extremely expensive, but the public effect of their implementation was colossal.

The first re-enactment of a naval battle in Roman history was financed by Julius Caesar, who wanted to celebrate his triumphant military victory in Egypt with a grand spectacle. Caesar's naumachia took place in a temporary lake dug in the Campus Martius, where the battle between the Egyptians and the Phoenicians was reenacted. 16 galleys and 2 thousand gladiators were involved in the performance.

For the first time, naumachia were installed in the Colosseum immediately after the opening. They mainly reconstructed famous historical battles, such as the Greek victory over the Persians in the naval battle of Salamis or the defeat of the Spartans in the Aegean Sea in the Corinthian War.

Colosseum today

Having survived all the hardships, the Colosseum has long become a symbol of Rome and one of the most popular tourist sites in Italy. In 2007, the amphitheater was recognized as one of the seven new wonders of the world. In October 2013, restoration work began, which will take place in three stages. As part of this project, the first stage will monitor the dynamic vibrations to which the structure is exposed, being in close proximity to the metro line and the highway. The second stage will be devoted to the restoration of the internal area of ​​the Colosseum and a more comprehensive restoration of the underground premises under the arena. The restoration work at the third stage will also include the construction of a tourist service center.

Photo gallery

Buying tickets to the Colosseum

Throughout the day, there is a long queue in front of the entrance to the Colosseum, in which you can easily stand for several hours. Therefore, it is better to buy tickets in one of the following ways:

1) the fact is that the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine have a common ticket. Thus, buying a ticket to the Forum almost without a queue, you can calmly go to the Colosseum, which is located relatively close. The ticket is valid for 2 days (each attraction can be visited only once). Ticket price - 12 euros.

2) you can buy an electronic ticket in advance on the website rome-museum.com (Russian version of the website is available). This ticket is also comprehensive (except for the Colosseum, it includes visits to the Palatine and the Forum). The only inconvenience of an electronic ticket is that you must indicate the date of your visit, which means your visit will depend on the weather. The ticket is also valid for 2 days, but the price includes a sales commission and is 16 euros. You can also purchase a ticket with an audio guide for 21 euros. iPods with audio and video clips are provided as an audio guide. After payment you will receive an email notifying you of your purchase. The electronic ticket itself will arrive in the next letter a day or two after payment. Attention! The received electronic ticket must be printed! The option of displaying it on the phone screen will not work. Then, when you get there (at the Colosseum), you need to exchange your e-ticket for a standard ticket.

Important! At the beginning of 2014, the administration of the Colosseum announced the launch of a special application for phones, with which it will be possible to buy tickets, but we do not yet have the details. If you know them, we will be grateful for the information provided in the comments.

- you will immerse yourself in “living” Rome and get acquainted with its history, legends and main attractions - 2 hours, 20 euros

- beautiful and romantic corners of the Eternal City far from noisy tourist routes - 2 hours, 30 euros

- art, beauty, history and religious culture of Italy in the masterpieces of the Vatican Museums - 3 hours, 38 euros

schedule

from 02.01 to 15.02 - The Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 16:30
from 16.02 to 15.03 - The Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 17:00
from 16.03 to 31.03 - The Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 17:30
from 01.04 to 31.08 - The Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 19:15
from 01.09 to 30.09 - The Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 19:00
from 01.10 to 31.10 - The Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 18:30
from 01.11 to 31.12 - The Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 16:30

Many historical monuments have been preserved, but the most extraordinary of them is the Colosseum, in which people doomed to death desperately fought and died for the entertainment of free citizens of Rome. It became the largest and most famous of all Roman amphitheatres, and one of the greatest masterpieces of Roman engineering and architecture that has survived to this day. The building had 80 entrances and exits and could seat approximately 50,000 spectators - more than most sports venues today, a testament to its greatness almost 2,000 years after its completion. Having eclipsed with its grandeur the ruins of the Roman Forum (the central square in Ancient Rome), the Pantheon and other attractions of the city, the Roman Colosseum will forever remind visitors of the inhuman past, when the thirst for blood brought spectators to the stands of this building, and nothing excited them so much as deprivation person of life.

The Colosseum is Italy's most famous and most visited tourist attraction, the world's largest structure built during the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the greatest structures in the world of engineering and architecture, an iconic symbol of the Roman Empire during its greatest period of power, and the most famous and instantly recognizable monument preserved from antiquity. Even in today's world of skyscrapers, the Colosseum is impressive. It is a glorious and at the same time mournful monument to Roman imperial power and its cruelty. Inside, behind close-knit rows of arches and columns, the Romans for centuries coolly watched the murder of tens of thousands of condemned criminals, captured warriors, slaves, and animals. Almost two thousand years later, it still attracts great interest from visitors.

History of the Colosseum

The Colosseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre. Its modern name (Colosseum in English) is derived from the word colossus, meaning a huge statue (next to the Colosseum stood a huge statue of Nero, which disappeared without a trace in the Middle Ages). As befits the largest city in the empire, it became the largest amphitheater in the Roman world, capable of seating 50,000 spectators. In total, there were more than 250 of them in the Roman Empire - it is not surprising that the amphitheater and associated spectacles were the main symbols of Roman culture.

Unlike most other amphitheatres, located on the outskirts of the city, the Colosseum was built in the very center of Rome. It was the product of the uncontrollable extravagance of the Roman emperor Vespasian (69-79), who decided to strengthen his position by building an amphitheater at the expense of the huge booty obtained as a result of suppressing the Jewish uprising. The construction, which began in 72, was completed by Emperor Titus in 80. The grand opening of the Colosseum was accompanied by gladiator fights, hunting wild animals and naumachia (reproduction of a naval battle in a flooded arena), the games continued for 97 days.

Emperor Domitian (81-96) significantly modernized the structure, built a series of underground tunnels in which animals and gladiators were kept before entering the arena, and also added a fourth tier, significantly increasing the capacity.

Unlike a circle, the elliptical shape of the Colosseum, measuring 83x48 meters, prevented fighting gladiators from retreating into a corner and gave spectators the opportunity to be closer to the action. This design has been inherited by almost every modern sports facility in the world.

The Colosseum's honeycomb structure of arches, passages and staircases allowed thousands of people to easily take their seats and watch the deadly spectacle. It is strikingly different from most ancient public buildings, inherited from the classical model of Greek temples with their rectangular rows of columns topped by pediments.

History of the Colosseum after construction

With the spread of Christianity, the killing of people within the walls of the amphitheater stopped, and the last hunt for animals took place around 523. But the main reason that put an end to the games was the military and financial crisis in the western part of the empire, accompanied by numerous barbarian invasions. The amphitheater required enormous expenses for organizing the games, and in the absence of them, the need for the existence of the Colosseum disappeared.
With the glory of imperial Rome having sunk into history, the purpose of the Colosseum has changed. No longer a place for entertainment, it was used as a home, a fortress and a religious monastery at various times. It ceased to serve as an arena for the entertainment of bloodthirsty Roman citizens, and began to suffer from earthquakes and the barbaric attitude of the people, who stripped off the rich marble cladding and bricks to build palaces and churches. The famous Cathedrals of St. Peter and St. John the Baptist on the Lateran Hill, Palazzo Venezia were built using brick and marble from the Colosseum. As a result of 2000 years of wars, earthquakes, vandalism and the inexorable action of time, two thirds of the original structure was destroyed. All that remains of the former glory of the Colosseum is a shadow of its former appearance, the famous ruins. The amphitheater's reputation as a sacred place where Christian martyrs met their fate saved the Colosseum from complete destruction (but the legend that Christians were sacrificed to lions here is considered unfounded by historians).

In 1749, Pope Benedict XIV declared the Colosseum a public church. From that moment on, the barbaric removal of stones from the walls of the amphitheater finally stopped. The building began to be restored, and since then reconstruction has continued intermittently until today.

Organization of games at the Colosseum

Invented in the Roman Empire, the amphitheater served as a venue for spectacular fights, the most popular of which were venationes (animal hunting) and munera (gladiator fights). In the first years after the opening of the Colosseum, naumachia (sea battles) was extremely popular. The Roman ruling class was obliged, according to the generally accepted concepts of the time, to organize spectacles in order to earn the respect and favor of ordinary citizens of the empire and to maintain public peace. All free citizens of Rome had the right to visit the amphitheater.

Organizing the games required enormous costs and was regulated by numerous laws. In the first century AD, the emperors created the Ratio a muneribus, something like a “Ministry of Games,” which had the necessary financial resources to organize games.

For the Romans, visiting the Colosseum became not only a way of relaxation and entertainment, but also a meeting place for people belonging to different classes. Roman society was divided into classes, and the amphitheater became a place where the public could meet and even address the emperor.

Gladiators

Gladiators usually became prisoners of war who did not have any rights under Roman law, whose lives were of no value to the state, slaves and criminals sentenced to death. Prisoners of war were trained in gladiator schools for performances in the arena of the Colosseum and other amphitheaters. When there was a shortage of gladiators, runaway slaves began to be sent to schools. They fought on a common basis, and after three years they stopped their performances in the arena. This distinguished the slaves from the condemned criminals who fought in the Colosseum without any hope of survival, like those condemned to ad bestias (to be torn to pieces by wild beasts) or ad gladium ludi damnati (condemned to death by the sword). In the latter case, one armed gladiator killed a disarmed enemy, then he himself found himself disarmed and became the victim of another armed gladiator, and so on, until the last convicted criminal remained.

Beginning in the first century AD, free citizens of Rome (auctorati) voluntarily became gladiators and fought in the Colosseum arena as professionals. These free citizens began their gladiator careers by submitting completely to Lanista's demands. The lanista in the Roman world was considered the most disgusting profession (even below pimps or executioners), had the power of life and death over gladiators, who were required to take an oath of complete obedience as a prerequisite for admission to the school. The gladiator swore to "suffer punishment with a whip, a brand, or accept death by the sword." Such terrible punishments were intended to suppress any hint of disobedience and instilled the belief that overcoming any challenge was the only means of their survival. The public demanded professional spectacles, so training took several years before entering the arena. At the last stage of the Roman Empire, about half of all gladiators were free citizens of Rome.

The gladiators fighting in the arena of the Colosseum were armed equally: a warrior better equipped with offensive weapons had fewer means of defense, or vice versa. The fighting techniques adhered to the traditional battle script, the fight was a show of skill well known to the public, who expected a professional performance. Spectators could approve or disapprove of the gladiators' maneuvers, as we do today when watching sports games such as football. The public did not tolerate monotony and imitation, and highly valued courage and displays of bravery.

In 73 BC, about 70 gladiators under the leadership of Spartacus fled from the school of Capua, created an army of 90,000 people, and for three years the largest slave uprising raged on the territory of the Roman Empire. After the rebellion was suppressed, the Roman Senate took measures to avoid such incidents. A garrison of soldiers stood near each school, delivering weapons there every morning and taking them back in the evening. In case of the slightest disturbance, the soldiers intervened immediately. Schools were considered quite safe, so they were located inside cities. Those held in custody could not escape, and they could only hope to save their lives by fighting valiantly in the arena of the Colosseum in order to attract the attention of influential aristocrats, gain their sympathy and gain their freedom.

Visit to the Colosseum

Games at the Colosseum were considered the privilege of only free citizens (slaves were not allowed), but tickets were not sold for them. Various communities, fraternities, partnerships, leagues, unions, associations and the like had reserved seats in the amphitheater in accordance with their role and rank in society. Those who were not members of any society tried to find a patron and get a place from him on the basis of an invitation. This tradition was observed for a long period of time. Not only in the amphitheater, but also in the circus or theater, each category of citizens was provided with certain places.
All spectators were required to dress appropriately: male citizens must wear a toga. Citizens who did not enjoy a good reputation - bankrupt, depraved or wasteful persons - sat together with the plebs in the upper ranks. In ancient times, even single women were allowed access to the Colosseum. Drinking alcohol in the stands was prohibited; the writer Lampridius criticized Emperor Commodus when he sometimes drank alcohol.

On game day, spectators arrived very early, and some even slept in the Coliseum. To enter the room, spectators presented a tessera (invitation). Tessera was a small plate or cube of marble, which, like today's tickets, indicated the exact location of its owner (sector, row, place). Each seat in the stands had a number. People sat on wooden planks set on marble stones, while the Roman aristocracy sat on more comfortable upholstered seats. The poor, including women, were located on the top tier.

Spectators walked to their seats through arches marked with numbers I - LXXVI (1-76). The four main entrances were not numbered. The best seats were on or behind the podium, which was raised 5 meters above the arena for safety reasons.

Modern scholars argue that the layout of the sites reflected the social hierarchy of Roman society. The two lowest tiers (that is, the most prestigious) stands could accommodate 2,000 and 12,000 spectators, respectively. On the upper tiers of the Colosseum, spectators were crowded together like sardines in a can, each of them having an average of 40x70 cm of space.

The Colosseum arena was covered with a 15 cm thick layer of sand (the Latin word for sand is spelled “arena”), sometimes painted red to hide the spilled blood. And, as seen in Ridley Scott's film "Gladiator", holes opened from below, from where wild animals were released into the arena.

Naumachia

Navachia was a reproduction of famous naval battles, the participants of which, as a rule, were criminals sentenced to death, and sometimes simply trained warriors and sailors. Such shows (mostly held in Rome) were extremely expensive. The ships were no different from warships and maneuvered in battle like real ones. The Romans called such spectacles navalia proelia (sea battles), but they became famous from the Greek word naumachia (naumachia), a term indicating that the spectacle took place in a specially equipped place.

Naumachia often tried to recreate famous historical battles, such as the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Salamis, or the destruction of the Athenian fleet at Aegospotami. During the show, the sequence of historical events that took place was followed, and the audience received great pleasure from the skill of the warriors and their equipment.

Sources claim that the naumachia was staged in the Colosseum immediately after the grand opening of the amphitheater. During the reign of Emperor Domitian (81-96), a system of tunnels was built under the arena and the naumachia was abolished.

Animal hunting

Hunting scenes were extremely popular in the Colosseum and other amphitheaters of the empire. This was the only chance for the Romans to see wild animals unfamiliar to them in those days. At the very beginning, hunting for wild animals was demonstrated in the morning, as a prelude to gladiatorial battles. In the last period of the republic, hunting in the arena was organized in broad daylight, sometimes lasting several days. All types of wild animals - elephants, bears, bulls, lions, tigers - were captured throughout the empire, transported and kept for the day of the games.

To ensure the safety of spectators in the Colosseum, the height of the fence around the arena was 5 meters. Most of the pairings were classic: lion versus tiger, bull or bear. Sometimes the pairs were clearly unequal: dogs or lions were released on deer, in this case the outcome was predictable. To break the monotony, the Romans resorted to strange combinations of animals: bear versus python, crocodile versus lion, seal versus bear, and so on. Sometimes the animals were chained to the Colosseum arena to prevent them from maneuvering.

Most martial arts were animals against trained men (venatores) armed with spears. Animal hunting has become extremely popular among wealthy citizens. The venatores involved in this type of fighting became so famous that their names can still be read on some mosaics and graffiti.

A huge number of wild animals died in the Colosseum arena (sources say that 9,000 animals were killed in the first days of opening alone). Even if this figure is exaggerated, we can say with confidence that a large number of animals died for fun in the arenas of Roman amphitheaters. Bears were captured in Caledonia (Scotland) and Pannonia (now Hungary and Austria); lions and panthers - in the province of Numidia in Africa (currently Algeria and Tunisia), tigers in Persia, crocodiles and rhinoceroses in India.

Capturing animals and transporting them in good condition over thousands of kilometers was extremely expensive. The animals had to be caught alive, and this posed the main danger. The animals were caught in traps, put in cages, and fed all the way to their destination to ensure they arrived in good condition. The hunt for large animals is reflected in numerous mosaics and paintings depicting the search, capture, transportation, and finally the kill. The costs were enormous, so the provinces of the Roman Empire were subject to special taxes so that Rome could organize hunting in the amphitheater arenas.

Tourism

Today the Colosseum is Rome's main tourist attraction, welcoming millions of tourists every year. Thanks to reconstruction in 2010, for the first time in the modern history of the amphitheater, the underground tunnels in which shackled gladiators once waited to enter the arena are open to the public. Also restored and reopened (for the first time since 1970) was the third tier of the Colosseum, from where Rome's middle class watched the desperate battles in the arena. Tours are for groups of 25 people and must be booked in advance. The wooden walkway in the center that you see in the last photo is the result of the latest renovation.

Although the Colosseum has lost its former grandeur, it is still used for various events. From time to time the Pope holds services here. Famous performers held their concerts under the shadow of the ancient monument: Paul McCartney, Elton John, Ray Charles, Billy Joel. On July 7, 2007, it was included in the list of one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the only European nominee.

What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the Colosseum? Italy, Rome, blood, gladiator fights, death, power. Not a single psychologist would have found any deviations in you if you had named the above associations. This is exactly how the Colosseum appears in the imagination of the average traveler, and this is how it is depicted in numerous films and computer games. But this time let’s try to move a little further from the image imposed on us and look at other facets of this creation.

Why was the Colosseum needed?

So, the purpose of creating such an amphitheater was the difficult political situation that existed in Rome at that time. The overthrown tyrant Nero was replaced by Vespasian, who was distinguished by a more peaceful character.

First of all, Vespasian needed to cross out everything connected with his predecessor, while at the same time wisely controlling the crowd so as not to incur its wrath, which was precisely what destroyed the insatiable Nero. The achievement of this goal would be best served by the construction of an amphitheater-stadium of unprecedented size.

According to various estimates, the Colosseum accommodated 60,000-80,000 spectators. The place for construction was not chosen by chance - the former palace of Nero. Let's give Vespasian a round of applause - his plan was extremely good. There was only one problem left: where to get so much money in the financially tormented empire after the reign of Nero? The answer is slaves from the eastern provinces. They sold tens of thousands.

Construction of the Colosseum

The Colosseum was built over the course of 10 years; it was opened by Vespasian’s son, Titus, famous for his conquest of Jerusalem. The opening celebrations lasted 100 days. But, as they say, for some it’s a holiday, for others it’s bad luck. Several thousand animals and people were killed during this multi-day bloody spectacle. Considering that free food was also distributed during the performances, this is an excellent recipe for those who want to keep the crowd in check.

Moreover, to constantly fuel interest in the competition, after five years

A large-scale reconstruction of the Colosseum was carried out and the so-called hypogeum was created - underground changing rooms-labyrinths. Now, thanks to a special system of levers, new suicide bombers could appear in the arena unexpectedly and almost anywhere.

Yes, for us, such extremely modern and civilized people, the atrocities taking place in the arena of the Colosseum seem savage, inhuman and bloodthirsty. But let's remember that back then there was no Internet, television and other mass magnets for attention. For that time, when blood was not shed somewhere far away, such entertainment events were in the order of things. Thank God that humanity can now be controlled in much more humane ways.

Uniqueness of the Colosseum

What else is unique about the Colosseum? At that time, similar stadiums already existed, but it was during the construction of the Flavian Amphitheater that the standardization of construction work was used, so to speak. Of course, the construction of such monumental objects involved a large, motley workforce. The diversity of the workforce relates primarily to the fact that, along with experienced masons, there were also absolute beginners working. And only due to the fact that the construction process itself in those days for the Romans already took place according to a template scheme, masons without work experience could successfully cope with standard tasks.

Numerous arches, bearing the enormous weight of the stadium's vault walls, are an excellent result of the functioning of this scheme. Also, during the construction of the Colosseum, a material that is quite ordinary in our time was used - concrete. And at that time it was a real revelation, which made it possible to give the supporting walls the necessary strength. But this is not as surprising as the well-thought-out system of a stretchable roof from the sun, which is made of canvas awnings.

You cannot ignore the vivid illustration of the stratification of society that existed at that time and is alive and well to this day. Depending on his social status, the visitor was placed at different distances from the arena and even entered through a certain passage that was appropriate for his rank. There are 76 such moves in total. Such a huge number is explained primarily by the intention to make it impossible for the plebeians to accidentally meet with some “untouchable” patrician or senator.

Decline of the Colosseum

Over time, the Colosseum fell into disrepair due to the prohibition of gladiator fights by the church. Later, local ephemeral kings began to take it away for building materials. And only in the 18th century, thanks to the same church, which suddenly changed its attitude towards him, he learned the full power of care and love that the Roman pontiffs are capable of.

Colosseum Museum

Today, the Colosseum probably does not look as impressive as on the day it was born, especially due to the appearance of numerous soulless skyscrapers. But that inexhaustible energy of struggle for life, for every next breath, oozing through the centuries, is still alive in him. Wandering through its corridors, you can plunge into the exciting and depressing atmosphere of death for the sake of fun. And only green signs indicating where to go next and where the exit is can prevent you from diving into it headlong.

Unfortunately, recently, most of the passages inside were closed and now it is no longer possible to get there under the cover of darkness, look at the moon, lean against the bare walls, and listen to what the wind singing about, walking through its arches. And you are unlikely to be able to perform all these tricks in daylight - the abundance of tourists will not allow you to hear the quiet whisper of the Colosseum. But even during the day he still has something to amaze travelers with.

The ancient theater is called the “Coat of Arms of Rome” quite deservedly - despite the long-term destruction and vandalism to which the historical monument was subjected, it still makes an indelible impression on those who have the good fortune to see the Colosseum for the first time. The world's most famous ruin, the hallmark of ancient Rome, the Colosseum may never have been built if Vespasian had not decided to eradicate traces of the reign of his predecessor Nero. As part of this program, on the site of the pond with swans that decorated the Golden Palace, a grand amphitheater for 70,000 spectators was erected - the largest circus in the Empire. The games in honor of its opening (in 80 AD) continued non-stop for 100 days; During this time, 2,000 gladiators and 5,000 wild animals tore each other to pieces and slaughtered them. True, the memory of the arsonist emperor turned out to be not so easy to erase: officially the new arena was called the Flavian Amphitheater, but in history it remained as the Colosseum - the name, apparently, refers not to its own dimensions, but to the colossal (35 m in height) statue of Nero as the sun god.

Coliseum- an outstanding architectural monument of Ancient Rome, the largest amphitheater of the ancient world, a symbol of the greatness and power of Imperial Rome.

The current appearance of the amphitheater is almost a triumph of minimalism: a strict ellipse, three tiers made in three orders, a precisely calculated arch shape. This is the most grandiose ancient amphitheater: the length of its outer ellipse is 524 m, the major axis is 187.77 m, the minor axis is 155.64 m, the length of the arena is 85.75 m, its width is 53.62 m; the height of its walls is from 48 to 50 meters. With such dimensions it could accommodate up to 87,000 spectators. The Flavian Amphitheater was built on a concrete foundation 13 meters thick. But we must understand that laconicism is the result of several barbarian invasions, a couple of earthquakes and many centuries of legalized robbery: until 1750, when Pope Benedict XIV finally ordered an end to the outrage, the Colosseum replaced a quarry for the Romans; A good portion of the city's masterpieces are built from its marble slabs and travertine blocks. Initially, each arch was accompanied by a statue, and the giant opening between the walls was covered with canvas using a special mechanism. This mechanism was extremely complex - a separate team of sailors was hired to operate it. But neither the heat of the sun nor the rain became an obstacle to the fun.

The games began early in the morning with a parade of gladiators. The emperor and his family watched what was happening from the front row; senators, vestals, consuls and priests sat nearby. A little further away sat aristocrats and other important citizens. The next rows were occupied by the middle class; then the marble benches gave way to covered galleries with wooden seats. The top one was intended for the plebs and women, the next one was for slaves and foreigners.

The walls of the Colosseum were built from large pieces or blocks of travertine stone or travertine marble, which were quarried in the nearby city of Tivoli. The blocks were connected to each other by steel ties with a total weight of approximately 300 tons; Local tuff and brick were also used for the internal parts. The holes visible today in various places on the walls are the nests of the mentioned connections, which disappeared in the Middle Ages - an era in which steel was highly valued and sought out everywhere. From the outside, the building had three tiers of arches. Between the arches there are semi-columns, in the lower tier - Tuscan, in the middle - Ionic and in the upper - Corinthian style. Images of the Colosseum on surviving ancient coins indicate that there was a statue in the arches of the middle and upper tiers. Above the upper arcade tier rises a fourth higher floor, representing a solid wall, divided into compartments by Corinthian pilasters and having a quadrangular window in the middle of each compartment. At the ends of the major and minor axes of the ellipse there were four main entrances in the form of three-arched gates. Two of these gates were designated for the emperor; the rest served for ceremonial processions before the start of performances, for the entry of animals and for the import of necessary machines.

The first number on the program was cripples and clowns: these also fought, but not seriously and without blood. Sometimes women also appeared and competed in archery. And only then came the turn of the gladiators and animals (who were catapulted into the arena from the basement for greater effect). The battles were incredibly brutal, but, according to the latest data, Christians were never tormented in the Colosseum arena. They came up with the idea of ​​banning games only 100 years after the official recognition of Christianity, and battles of wild animals continued until the 6th century.

A dozen centuries later, what remained of the Colosseum has become a favorite theme for melancholy reflections and idyllic landscapes. Every conscientious traveler considered it his duty to climb here at night, in the light of the moon. Until recently, it was possible to repeat the experiment - but by 2000, all the holes in the fence were carefully repaired, and now people are allowed inside only during designated hours.

Behind the Colosseum is another textbook structure, the Arch of Constantine, the last (and largest) triumphal arch in Roman history - two years after its construction, Constantine would finally move to Byzantium. Her fame, however, is not entirely deserved: most of the bas-reliefs were literally torn off from previous triumphs.

The Colosseum is guarded with even greater care by the current Italian government, by order of which, under the leadership of learned archaeologists, many of the lying ruins of the structure, where it turned out to be possible, were inserted into their original places, and curious excavations were carried out in the arena, which led to the discovery of basement rooms that once served , to push groups of people and animals, trees and other decorations into the arena, or to fill it with water and raise ships up when naumachia were presented. Despite all the hardships experienced by the Colosseum over the centuries, its ruins, devoid of their former external and internal decoration, still make a strong impression with their austere majesty and give a fairly clear idea of ​​what its location and architecture were. Rainwater seepage, air pollution and vibration from heavy city traffic have left the Colosseum in critical condition. In many places, the architectural monument requires strengthening.

To preserve the amphitheater from further destruction, an agreement was reached between the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and the Roman bank. The first phase of the project includes the restoration and treatment of the arcades with a waterproof compound and the reconstruction of the wooden floor of the arena where gladiators once fought. The newspaper La Repubblica in 1991 referred to a planned investment of 40 billion lire and called the agreement "the largest alliance between the public and private sectors ever concluded in Italy for the conservation of works of art."

The Colosseum has lost two-thirds of its original mass; nevertheless, it is still unprecedentedly enormous: one architect in the 18th century took the trouble to approximately calculate the amount of building material contained in the Colosseum, and determined its cost, at the prices of that time, at 1.5 million crowns (about 8 million francs). Therefore, from ancient times the Colosseum was considered a symbol of the greatness of Rome.

Nowadays the Colosseum has become a symbol of Rome and one of the most popular tourist sites. In the 21st century, the Colosseum was among the contenders for the title of one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, and according to the voting results that were announced on July 7, 2007, it was recognized as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World.

The Flavian Amphitheater is rightfully considered the hallmark of Rome. Its construction began in 72 AD, by Emperor Vespasian, the founder of the Flavian dynasty, after which the building was named. The modern name - the Colosseum - is associated either with its enormous size, or with the colossal statue of Emperor Nero, renamed by Vespasian to Helios, the sun god, and installed on the site near the amphitheater. Construction was completed in 80 AD. under Emperor Titus, who celebrated this event with gladiatorial games, which were distinguished by their special scope and lasted more than a hundred days.

Snow-white, erected from travertine mined in the city of Tivoli, located not far from Rome, the walls of the Colosseum reached 50 meters in height, which is almost equivalent to the height of a 17-story building. The first three of the four floors had 80 arches, each of which contained a giant statue. The amphitheater could accommodate from 50 to 70 thousand spectators. The arena, covered with wooden flooring with a thick layer of sand, sometimes tinted red to make traces of blood less noticeable, had an elliptical rather than a round shape, and the rows of seats were located at an angle of 37 degrees, which created the possibility of a good view of what was happening in the arena from any sector . The Colosseum featured a complex system of stairs and passages that allowed visitors to fill the amphitheater and leave it within a few minutes.

Instead of tickets to attend games, a special invitation was used, called a “tessera,” which designated a row and a seat. It should be noted that the audience was seated according to social status. In the bottom row were the emperor, his family, and senators, who, judging by the inscriptions preserved on the seats, reserved seats for themselves. The higher tier sat representatives of the equestrian class, and then the citizens of Rome: the higher the tier, the lower the social status. It is noteworthy that the upper tiers were intended for slaves and women, and these places were often standing.

To protect spectators from rain and the scorching Roman sun, the Colosseum was covered with a special canopy, which was pulled from the ground by hundreds of sailors of the imperial fleet using 240 wooden masts. In addition, for the comfort of spectators, who sometimes spent the whole day in the amphitheater, drinking fountains were installed near the walls, which are no longer preserved.

The main “entertainment” on the program was the famous gladiator fights. However, as a kind of prelude, hunting was carried out, fights of wild animals, often unequal in strength, as well as confrontations between animals and people, as evidenced by numerous surviving mosaics and frescoes. All this was not cheap, since the animals had to be caught, transported, often thousands of kilometers away, fed and ensured in good condition, so special taxes were introduced to cover the enormous costs. In addition, naumachias were a very popular spectacle - imitation of naval battles, for which the flooring was removed from the arena, and the underground space was filled with water using an elaborate water supply system. The practice of holding naumachia ceased after the reconstruction of the Colosseum by Emperor Domitian. Under the stage, on two underground floors, an extensive network of tunnels and lifting devices was established for the spectacular appearance of gladiators and animals in the arena.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum lost its original purpose and began to gradually collapse as a result of natural phenomena and human actions. The marble slabs that previously covered the walls and floors of the amphitheater were removed and used in the construction of well-known architectural monuments: St. Peter's Basilica, Palazzo Venezia, Palazzo Barberini and many others. At different periods of time, the structure was used as housing, a defensive fortress, and also for religious purposes. In the 7th century it even housed a saltpeter production plant.

Despite its brutal past, the amphitheater, two-thirds destroyed, but standing for more than 2000 years, in recent years reconstructed, now allowing you to take a walk even through the underground rooms, where the air itself seems to be saturated with centuries of history, is one of the most visited attractions in Italy , attracting tourists from all over the world.