The Colosseum is a monument that wears its history unapologetically, even though it is bloody and scarred. Imagine lions roaring, swords clashing, and the crowd cheering. These were no ordinary gatherings that took place. They were Rome’s greatest shows. Some were entertaining, and some were downright brutal.
The Colosseum wasn’t just used as an amphitheater. It was Rome’s grandest stage for propaganda, politics, and power, with nearly two thousand years of stories worth learning (Yes, that’s how old the Colosseum is!). There are many bloody, crazy, and interesting facts about the Colosseum that remind us how humanity was put on display in the name of entertainment.
When Was The Roman Colosseum Built?
The Roman Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, was built by three Roman emperors. The construction began in 70 C.E. under the Roman emperor Vespasian and was completed in A.D. 80 by his son and successor, Emperor Titus. Later, the Colosseum’s fourth story was added by the emperor Domitian in 82 CE.
15 Fascinating Facts About The Colosseum
Even though the Colosseum stands still and silent now, it holds many tales of triumph and trepidation. As we peel back the layers of time, these fifteen facts reveal the many faces of the Colosseum, shedding light on its extraordinary legacy beyond the myths and legends.
1. The role of Jewish slaves
One of the obscure facts about the Roman Colosseum is that it was built by 60,000 to 100,000 Jewish slaves in a span of eight years. They were brought to Rome by Emperor Vespasian after the destruction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem during the Jewish War.
2. Free entertainment for all
Unlike today’s times, where you have to pay to watch a movie or a sport, entry to the Colosseum was free of cost. Emperors saw public games as a political tool, offering “bread and circuses” to distract and appease the masses.
Even the poorest of Romans could attend, however, they were seated based on their social status. On the other hand, senators and Romans from the higher social strata had prime views.
3. 85,000 people could fit in
At full capacity, the Colosseum could hold up to 85,000 spectators, where everyone had a place depending on their social class, but all eyes faced the same brutal stage.
In a city of over a million people, the Colosseum wasn’t just a venue, it was the beating heart of Roman entertainment.
4. Exotic animal fights
Another one of the interesting facts about the Colosseum in Rome is that it didn’t just host mortal combat. It hosted animal fights, including the lions from Africa, tigers from Asia, elephants, bears, and even crocodiles were brought in to fight each other. Or they were made to die at the hands of trained hunters.
These hunts were known as venationes, which showcased Rome’s dominance over nature and the empire’s reach across continents. But the gory result of it all is that over a million animals were killed in the arena.
5. It was built over a manmade lake
Before the Colosseum stood in all its glory, there was a massive manmade lake built by Emperor Nero. In fact, it was a part of his lavish palace complex, Nero’s Golden House. But after Nero’s fall, Vespasian drained the lake and filled it in to build something for the people: a public arena.
6. 80 entrances to the Colosseum
The Colosseum had 80 entrances, 80 portals to chaos and carnage. Each of them was numbered to manage the huge crowds without any stampede.
Just like today’s modern stadiums, the Colosseum also had a specific gate for spectators. Two special entrances were reserved for the emperor and elite, while gladiators and animals entered through the “Gate of Death.”
7. The 80 arches of the Colosseum
Looking for some fun facts about the Colosseum of Rome? The Colosseum originally had 80 arches, out of which 76 were marked with Roman numerals to help people find their seats, much like modern stadiums
You can still see some of these numbers today. At the ground level, only 31 of the original 80 arches have survived. These are the ones visitors walk past when exploring the Colosseum today. It is truly a reminder of Roman architecture’s brilliance.
8. It staged naval battles
Prepare to have your mind blown. In the early years of the Colosseum, the Romans staged mock naval battles known as naumachiae. They flooded the arena and filled it with small ships to recreate famous sea battles.
Prisoners and trained fighters reenacted the bloodshed on water. However, these types of events were rare and short-lived because it wasn’t possible to flood the Colosseum often. It was a pure Roman spectacle. Imagine war as a performance that was staged to impress and intimidate.
9. Forest hunting
Another crazy fact about the Colosseum is that the arena would be transformed into a lush, artificial forest. Trees, shrubs, and painted backdrops were brought in to simulate wild landscapes where animals roamed and hunters pursued them.
These forest hunts added drama and realism to the venationes, immersing spectators in an exotic wilderness. Furthermore, the animals that were hunted in the morning were butchered and sold as snacks later in the evening.
10. Human executions took place
Executions were grim but an expected part of Roman games. Condemned criminals, traitors, or prisoners of war were publicly killed in the Colosseum, often in theatrical ways.
Some of them were thrown to wild beasts like a bear ripping a criminal to bits, while others were forced to reenact mythological tales that ended in death. For example, a criminal was dressed as Icarus, and he was pushed from the top of the Colosseum.
These executions weren’t just punishments, they were performances designed to satisfy the crowd and reinforce imperial authority. Some proud Saxon prisoners didn’t want to become a source of entertainment. Hence, they strangled each other. One German prisoner suffocated himself using a bathroom sponge.
11. Gladiator battles
Gladiator battles, including women gladiator battles, were the Colosseum’s main attraction. Those battles were brutal. Fighters came from all walks of life: slaves, criminals, volunteers, even former soldiers seeking fame.
Trained in special schools, they fought for honor, survival, and the roar of the crowd. While not all fights ended in death, many did, especially during major festivals.
12. Contests took place over 100 days
When the Colosseum officially opened in A.D. 80, Emperor Titus marked the occasion with games that lasted a staggering 100 days.
During this marathon of drama, destruction, and death, thousands of gladiators fought, countless animals were killed, and the Roman people were fed a continuous diet of spectacle.
13. It used to have a retractable roof
To protect spectators from the harsh sun, the Colosseum featured a massive retractable awning known as the velarium. It was operated by skilled sailors who were always stationed at the top of the Colosseum.
The Velarium was not exactly a roof but a huge canvas system that could be extended or pulled back as needed, and it covered nearly one-third of the arena.
14. 400,000 people have died in the Colosseum
The Colosseum, a place where life and death were part of the show, which killed about 400,000 people, including gladiators, criminals, slaves, and prisoners.
Some were killed in combat, others torn apart by wild animals, and many were condemned criminals used in theatrical executions. These deaths weren’t mourned or tolerated, they were celebrated by the Roman emperors and the public.
15. Why is the Colosseum broken?
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum stopped being used for games and slowly fell into disrepair. Powerful earthquakes destroyed the arena in 847 and 1349 after huge sections of the outer walls collapsed.
In addition to that, people began to reuse their materials by removing their marbles, stones, and iron clamps to build other structures like churches and palaces. What remains today is only a part of the original structure, but it still stands as a symbol of ancient Roman greatness.
Conclusion: Architectural Brilliance or Human Brutality?
The Colosseum is a paradox of both architectural brilliance and human brutality. Blood was shed, lives were shattered, but the beauty of the arena is still ravishing. It has been estimated that over 7 million tourists visit the Colosseum every year.
These facts about the Colosseum remind us that even the mightiest empires fade, but the echoes of what they built, the horrors of the events, and the screams of the dead can endure forever.
