THE COLOSSEUM

The Colosseum: among plays, gladiators and public life.

The Colosseum – History
The Colosseum is the biggest Amphitheatre ever built by Ancient Romans and the most important theatre of Rome. The Colosseum was built in 72 a.C. by the emperor Vespasiano, and inaugurated by his son Tito in 80 a.C.
Its structure has changed a little during these centuries, due to historical events and weather changes, but its shape is still the same.
Located in the zone of the Domus Aurea - Nero's private residence -, its building was the starting point of the process of returning private places to their public use.
With a capacity of 45.000 watchers, the Colosseum was usually used for gladiators plays: other games were animal fights (venationes), and prisoners' spectacular killings (noxii).
Emperor Tito organized three months of plays and show when the Colosseum was inaugurated, and many gladiators and animals were killed. The Colosseum was damaged by many fires during the centuries: after those fires, activities of repair were made in the period between 220 and 320, but they went on even after the Empire fall.
During the sixth sentury, the Colosseum was used as a burial-place, and used for housing purposes: travertine on its facade was taken away and used for other buildings.
In 1672, during the Jubilee, the Colosseum became a holy place, in memory of Christian martyrs and in 1774 Pope Benedetto XIV commissioned the building of the 15 stations of the Cross.
First works of structural repair and excavation started in 1800: in 1938 the main theatre came to light.

The Colosseum – Description
The inside structure of the Colosseum was linked to different type of audience: the nobler it was, the nearer to the theatre it was situated. Five horizontal sectors, for five different kind of audience, with different type of steps, in barble or wood, and only the very last part was accessible for women.
Arcades (every arcade has a number), visible only outside, were used as entrances to the Colosseum: twelve arcades in marble were reserved to Senators and were linked to a gangway which reached the inner ring of the Colosseum, the most important sector after the southern seat where the Emperor used to watch plays.
The theatre of the Colosseum, built partly in wood and partly in stonework, was the playing field, covered in clean sand in order to moak up blood. A lot of machines was settled under the theatre: freight elevators were used to lift machines or animals used for plays.

The Colosseum - How to arrive
The Colosseum is accessible from Piazza del Colosseo.
The quickest way to reach it is by underground (Linea B), the stop is just called Colosseo.
Otherwise, by bus with lines n° 3, 8, 75, 175, 271 and many others that run on Via dei Fori Imperiali and Via Labicana.

The Colosseum - Open time
From 1st September to 30th September: 8:30-19:00
From 1 October to the Saturday before the last Sunday of October: 8:30-18:30
From the last Sunday of October to the 15th February: 8:30-16:30
From 16 February to 15th March: 8:30-17:00
From 16 March to the Saturday before the last Sunday of March: 8:30-17:30
From the last Sunday of March to the 31st August: 8:30-19:15
Info +39 06.39967700

Things to see in the surroundings
Domus Aurea, Imperial Forums, la Basilica di Massenzio, the Roman Forum, il Circo Massimo.

Accommodations in the surroundings
Some advice to sleep in a hotel next to Roma termini or in a bb around the Colosseum.

Restaurants in the surroundings
Here are some suggestions for a good dinner in a hosteria in Esquilino's zone.

Pubs and entertainment in the surroundings
You could choice pubs next to the Colosseum for a pleasant and funny night.

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