The chosen site was a flat area at the bottom of a low valley between the Caelian, Esquiline, and Palatine hills, through which flowed a canal-like stream and an artificial lake/swamp. The area was densely populated until the second century BC. It was devastated by the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, after which Nero seized much of the area to add to his personal domain. He built the magnificent Domus Aurea on the site, in front of which he created an artificial lake surrounded by pavilions, gardens, and verandas. The existing Aqua Claudia aqueduct was extended to supply water to the area, and Nero's massive bronze Colossus was erected nearby at the entrance to the Domus Aurea.
Although the Colossus was saved, much of the Domus Aurea was demolished. The lake was filled in, and the land was reused for the new Flavian Amphitheater. The gladiatorial school and other support buildings were built near the former arena of the Domus Aurea. Vespasian's decision to build the Colosseum on the site of Nero's lake can be seen as a populist move to return to the people the area of the city that Nero had taken for his own use. Unlike many other amphitheaters built on the outskirts of the city, the Colosseum was built in the city center, effectively placing it in the heart of Rome, both symbolically and geographically.
Following the First Jewish-Roman War in 70 AD, when Jerusalem was under siege, its construction was funded by the magnificent materials looted from the Jewish Temple. According to a reconstructed inscription found at the site, "The Emperor Vespasian ordered this new amphitheater to be built from his general's share of the spoils." It is often believed, as with many other Roman projects of the time, that slaves and prisoners of war were brought back to Rome and provided the vast majority of the labor needed to build the amphitheater. Alongside this free labor, teams of professional Roman builders, engineers, artists, painters, and decorators performed the more specialized work required to construct the Colosseum. The Colosseum was constructed from a variety of materials: wood, limestone, tuff, tiles, cement, and mortar.
Construction of the Colosseum began during the reign of Vespasian, around 70-72 AD (some sources state 73-75 AD). By the time of Vespasian's death in 79, the Colosseum had been completed up to the third floor. His son, Titus, completed the top level in 80, and the first games were held in 80 or 81 AD. Dio Cassius states that over 9,000 wild animals were killed during the first games in the amphitheater. Commemorative coins were issued to mark the inauguration. The building was further renovated under Vespasian's younger son, the newly crowned emperor Domitian, who built the Hypogeum, a series of tunnels used to house animals and slaves. He also constructed a gallery above the Colosseum to increase its seating capacity.
In 217, the Colosseum was severely damaged by a major fire (according to Dio Cassius, started by lightning) that destroyed the wooden upper level of the amphitheater. It was not fully repaired until around 240, and further repairs were made in 250 or 252, and again in 320. Honorius banned the practice of gladiator fights in 399 and again in 404. The last mention of gladiator fights is from around 435. An inscription records repairs to various parts of the Colosseum under Theodosius II and Valentinian III (reigned 425–455), perhaps to repair damage caused by a major earthquake in 443; further work occurred in 484 and 508. The arena continued to be used for fights until the 6th century. The hunting of animals continued at least until 523, when Anicius Maximus celebrated his consulship with some Veneticians, who had been reviled by King Theodoric the Great for their high prices.
Exterior of the Colosseum
Unlike Roman theaters built on hills, the Colosseum is a completely different structure. Its basic exterior and interior architecture is derived from two theaters built back to back. It is elliptical in plan and measures 189 m (615 ft / 640 Roman ft) long and 156 m (510 ft / 528 Roman ft) wide, with a base area of 24,000 square meters (6 acres). The outer wall is 48 m (157 ft / 165 Roman ft) high. Its perimeter was initially 545 m (1,788 ft / 1,835 Roman ft). The central arena is an ellipse, 87 m (287 ft) long and 55 m (180 ft) wide, surrounded by a 5 m (15 ft) high wall, topped by seating.
It is estimated that the outer wall required over 100,000 cubic meters (3.5 million cubic feet) of travertine stone, which was laid without mortar; held together by 300 tons of iron clamps. However, it has suffered significant damage over the centuries, with large sections collapsing after earthquakes. The northern section of the surrounding wall still stands; the distinctive triangular brickwork at both ends is modern, added in the early 19th century to strengthen the wall. The exterior of the Colosseum that remains today is actually the original inner wall.
The surviving large portion of the outer wall comprises three upper and lower stories, topped by a podium, topped by a high attic, both with windows at regular intervals. The arcades are composed of half-columns of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders, while the attic is adorned with Corinthian pilasters. Each arch of the second and third-story arcades features statues, likely honoring gods and other characters from Classical mythology.
Two hundred and forty mast-like corbels stood above the attic. They initially supported a retractable canopy, called the velarium, which protected spectators from sun and rain. This was a canvas-covered, net-like structure made of ropes, with a hole in the center. It covered two-thirds of the arena and sloped downward toward the center to catch the breeze and provide ventilation to the spectators. The velarium was staffed by sailors specially recruited from the Roman Navy headquarters at Misenum, housed in the nearby Castra Misenacium.
The Colosseum's massive crowds necessitated rapid filling and emptying. Its architects addressed this problem by employing methods similar to those used in modern stadiums. There were 80 entrances at ground level around the amphitheater, 76 of which were used by the general public. Each entrance and exit was numbered, as were each staircase. The northern main entrance was reserved for the Roman emperor and his entourage, while the other three axial entrances were likely used by the wealthy. All four axial entrances were richly decorated with painted stucco reliefs, fragments of which remain. Many of the original outer entrances have disappeared with the collapse of the wall, but Entrances XXIII (23) to LIIII (54) remain.
Spectators were issued tickets in the form of numbered pottery fragments, which directed them to the correct section and line. They reached their seats through vomitoria (singular vomitorium), openings in a row of seats from below or behind. These allowed people to reach their seats quickly and, after the event was over or in case of emergency, could be evacuated within minutes. The name vomitoria comes from the Latin word meaning rapid discharge, from which the English word vomit is derived.
Interior of the Colosseum
According to the Codex-Calendar of 354, the Colosseum could seat 87,000 people, though modern estimates place the number at around 50,000. They were seated in a tiered arrangement that reflected the strictly segregated nature of Roman society. The emperor and the Vestal Virgins were given special boxes at the north and south ends, respectively, which offered the best views of the arena. On either side, at the same level, was a wide platform or podium for the senatorial class, who were allowed to bring their own chairs. The names of some senators from the 5th century can still be seen engraved in the stonework; perhaps seats were reserved for them.
The tier above the senators, called the Maenianum Primum, housed non-senatorial nobles or knights (equites). The next level, the Maenianum Secundum, was initially for ordinary Roman citizens (plebeians) and was divided into two sections. The lower section (immum) was for wealthy citizens, while the upper section (summum) was for poorer citizens. Special areas were created for other social groups: boys with their tutors, soldiers on leave, foreign dignitaries, writers, heralds, priests, etc. Stone (and later marble) seating was provided for citizens and nobles, who may have brought their own cushions. Inscriptions identify areas reserved for specific groups.
During the reign of Domitian, another level, the Maenianum Secundum in Legnis, was added to the top of the building. It contained a gallery for the common poor, slaves, and women. There was either standing room only, or the wooden benches were extremely high. Certain groups were banned from the Colosseum altogether, notably gravediggers, actors, and former gladiators.
Each tier was divided into sections (maeniana) by winding passages and low walls (precincts or baltei), and into cunei, or wedges, by stairs and corridors leading from the vomitoria. Each row of seats (gradus) was numbered, so that each seat could be identified precisely by its gradus, cuneus, and number.
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