Battle. Bloodshed. Bravery. Colosseum has seen it all.

Over 2,000 years ago, an incredible feat was achieved in creating the world's largest and enduring amphitheater in just around a decade. The Colosseum, a gift to the Roman people from Emperor Vespasian and his successors, was once a stage where Man vs Wild encounters took place in epic proportions, and gladiators battled it out. It has withstood the vagaries of time to become one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the cult symbol of Rome. 

Did you know?

• From 1978 - 2000, a part of the Colosseum’s colonnade was embossed on Olympic medals.

• In 1332, long after beast battles ceased inside the Colosseum, a bullfight was conducted by the Capitoline Senate to honor Ludwig the Bavarian’s visit, the Holy Roman Emperor till 1347. This show inadvertently reinstated the original purpose of the Colosseum.

• Director Ridley Scott of the Gladiator fame allegedly found the Colosseum ‘too small’, and chose instead to build a mock version of it in Malta and digitally enhance its proportions.

More interesting facts about the Colosseum >

What to see inside? 

Level 1

Known as the ima cavea, this level was reserved for the who’s who of Roman society — think aristocrats, senators, and of course, the emperor himself. The ruler sat in the Emperor’s Box on the north side of the amphitheater’s shorter axis. This seat offered him the best view of the Arena. 

Level 2

This level was designated for Roman citizens, specifically the middle class, which included merchants, shopkeepers, and civil servants. The seating in Level 2 was steeper than Level 1, but it still provided a good vantage point to witness the spectacles below. Currently, Level 2 also houses the Colosseum Museum, which houses remnants of graffiti, animal remains, etc.

Levels 3 - 5*

These upper levels were designated for the lower classes of Roman society, including women, children, slaves and freedmen. Due to the height, the view of the arena floor would have been less detailed compared to the lower levels. Spectators here might have relied more on the sounds and overall atmosphere of the event.

*Note: Due to frequent restoration projects, levels 3-5 are typically closed to present-day tourists.

Arena

The Arena is the central stage of the Colosseum, where gladiatorial battles, animal hunts, and other spectacles took place. While the original wooden floor no longer exists, visitors can still see the remains of the substructure beneath, giving a glimpse into the complex network of tunnels and rooms that supported the grand shows.

Underground (Hypogeum)

Beneath the Arena lies the Hypogeum, an intricate network of tunnels and chambers that housed gladiators, animals, and stage equipment. This underground area reveals the behind-the-scenes workings of the Colosseum, showcasing the ingenuity of Roman engineering that allowed for dramatic entrances and the rapid transformation of the arena.

Design & Architecture of the Colosseum

Constructed from concrete and sand, the Colosseum features a sophisticated design with four stories of arched entrances and seating up to 50,000 spectators. The exterior showcases three levels of arches, each adorned with columns of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders, displaying the Romans' mastery of classical architecture.

The Colosseum's elliptical shape, measuring 189 meters long and 156 meters wide, allowed for optimal viewing of events. Its complex system of vaults and corridors, including 80 entrances, facilitated efficient crowd movement and access. The Colosseum also boasted a retractable awning, called the velarium, to shield spectators from the sun.

At the heart of the Colosseum lies the arena floor, a wooden stage topped with sand. Below this floor is a network of tunnels and chambers that once housed gladiators and animals, fitted with lifts and trapdoors for dramatic entrances.

Why was the Colosseum built?

The Colosseum’s journey from a grand arena of Roman power to its many transformations over the centuries is one of ancient Rome’s most captivating stories.

Dive deeper into Colosseum's rich history >

What makes the Colosseum stand out today?

While what the Colosseum originally stood for is controversial — evoking mixed feelings of distaste and awe, the building’s indelible impact on the psyche of locals and tourists alike is undeniable. From movies to books and wider media, the Colosseum is an inseparable symbol of Rome. Here’s how the monument has been reimagined in present-day times:

• Paul McCartney staged a performance here in 2003 for a charitable cause, with each ticket costing around ＄1490. He later performed free of cost for the 5000+ audience waiting outside. 

• While the Pepsi gladiator ad featuring singers Beyonce, Britney Spears, Pink, and Enrique Iglesias wasn’t shot in the Colosseum, the building was digitally created for the commercial.

• Today, you can still see locals dressed as gladiators outside the Colosseum. You can pose with them and take home photos for a fee.

Frequently asked questions about the Colosseum

Q. Why is the Colosseum such an iconic symbol of Rome?
The fact that it is the world’s largest amphitheater even 2000 years after it was built is one of the main reasons why the Colosseum is Rome’s defining symbol. It also highlights the peculiar ancient Roman preoccupation with battle, bloodshed and violence, and the need to celebrate these spectacles publicly. Many people today find it difficult to reconcile its architectural grandeur with its gory past.

Q. Is the Colosseum open to the public today?
Yes, the Colosseum is now one of the most popular tourist spots in Rome and the world and can be visited with a ticket.

Q. Are there areas of the Colosseum that are inaccessible to tourists?
Usually, levels 1 and 2 are included in Colosseum tickets. Special access tickets also include entry to the Arena floor and Underground. On rare occasions, levels 3 to 5 are also open to visitors, though there are special tickets for these sections as well.

Q. What happened to the broken bits of the Colosseum?
The Colosseum began to crumble and chip owing to a variety of factors, including human intervention. Earthquakes, particularly a major one in 443 AD, also contributed to the damage. These events caused cracks and instability, making it easier to remove stones later. From the Middle Ages (roughly the 5th century AD) onwards, the Colosseum was seen as a readily available source of building materials. 

Q. How tall is the Colosseum?
The outer wall of the Roman Colosseum reaches a height of 48 meters (157 feet). This is roughly equivalent to a 12-15 story building.

Q. What is the capacity of the Colosseum in Rome?

Scholars estimate that the original Colosseum could hold between 50,000-80,000 spectators at once. Today, only about 3000 tourists are allowed into the Colosseum at any given time. 

Q. Is there graffiti inside the Colosseum?
Yes, ancient Romans themselves were known to scribble on the walls of the Colosseum, and these markings were unearthed during restoration projects in the 20th century. Unfortunately, some present-day tourists were also caught trying to leave behind graffiti on the Colosseum. Please note that this amounts to vandalism and is a punishable offense.

Q. What movies have been inspired by the Colosseum?
The most popular movie shot in a mock set modeling the Colosseum is Gladiator (2000). Other pop culture references to the Colosseum appear in Asterix vs. Caesar (1999), and more recently, the movie Godzilla vs. Kong, where both these characters have a face-off before the monument’s ruins.