Who built the Colosseum and when? The Colosseum is a unique architectural monument of ancient Rome

It is quite deservedly called the "Coat of arms of Rome", because despite the vandalism and prolonged destruction to which the historical monument is exposed, it also makes a huge impression on those who first managed to contemplate the Colosseum.

Colosseum history

One of the most famous structures in the world, the hallmark of ancient Rome, the Colosseum, could never have been built if Vespasian had not decided to destroy the traces of the rule of his predecessor Nero. For this, on the site of the pond with swans, which adorned the courtyard of the Golden Palace, a magnificent amphitheater was built, which can accommodate 70,000 spectators.

In honor of the opening, in 80 AD, games were held that lasted 100 days and during which 5,000 wild beasts and 2,000 gladiators were killed. Despite this, the memory of the previous emperor was not so easy to erase: the new arena was officially called the Flavian amphitheater, but in history it is remembered as the Colosseum. Apparently, the name refers not to its own dimensions, but to the giant statue of Nero in the form of the sun god, reaching 35 meters in height.

Colosseum in ancient Rome

For a long time, the Colosseum was a place of entertainment for the inhabitants of Rome and visitors, such as animal baiting, gladiatorial fights and sea battles.

Games began in the morning with a parade of gladiators. The Emperor and his family watched the action from the front row; seated nearby were senators, consuls, vestals and priests. The Roman nobility sat a little further. In the next rows sat the middle class; after that the marble benches were replaced by covered galleries with wooden benches. On the top were plebeians and women, and on the next, slaves and foreigners.

The performance began with clowns and cripples: they also fought, but not seriously. Sometimes women would show up for archery competitions. And then came the turn of beasts and gladiators. The fighting has been incredibly fierce, but Christians in the arena Colosseum did not torment. Only 100 years after the recognition of Christianity, games began to be banned, and the battles of animals continued until the 6th century.

It was believed that Christians were periodically executed in the Colosseum, but subsequent research indicates that this was a myth invented by the Catholic Church. During the reign of Emperor Macrinus, the amphitheater was badly damaged by fire, but was soon restored by order of Alexander Sever.

Emperor Philip in 248 still celebrated in Colosseum millennium of Rome with grandiose views. In 405, Honorius banned gladiatorial fights as opposed to Christianity, which became the dominant religion of the Roman Empire after the reign of Constantine the Great. Despite this, bestial persecution continued to take place in the Colosseum until the death of Theodoric the Great. After that, sad times came for the Flavian amphitheater.

Destruction of the colosseum

The invasions of the barbarians led the Colosseum to desolation and laid the foundation for its gradual destruction. From the 11th century until 1132, it served as a fortress for influential Roman families who disputed among themselves the power over their fellow citizens, especially the Frangipani and Annibaldi families. The latter were forced to cede the amphitheater to Emperor Henry VII, who, in turn, presented it to the Senate and the people.

In 1332, the local aristocracy still staged bullfights here, but since then the destruction of the Colosseum began. They began to look at him as a source of building materials. For the construction of new structures were used not only the fallen off stones, but also specially broken out of it. Thus, in the 15th and 16th centuries, Pope Paul II used material from the Colosseum for the construction of the Venetian palace, and Cardinal Riario for the palace of the chancellery, as well as Paul III for the Pallazo Farnese.

Despite this, a significant part of the Colosseum survived, although the building remained disfigured. Sixtus V wanted to use it to build a cloth factory, and Clement IX turned the Colosseum into a saltpeter factory. Many urban masterpieces have been built from its travertine blocks and marble slabs.

A better attitude towards the majestic monument began only in the middle of the 18th century, when Benedict XIV took it under his protection. He dedicated the amphitheater to the Passion of Christ as a place saturated with the blood of many Christian martyrs. By his order, a huge cross was erected in the center of the arena, and a number of altars were erected around it. They were removed only in 1874.

Later, the Popes continued to take care of the Colosseum, especially Leo XII and Pius VII, who fortified the places of the walls, which threatened to fall, with buttresses. And Pius IX repaired some of the inner walls.

Colosseum in our time

The current view of the Colosseum is a triumph of minimalism: a strict ellipse and three tiers with precisely calculated arches. This is the largest antique amphitheater: the length of the outer ellipse is 524 meters, the major axis is 187 meters, the minor axis is 155 meters, the arena is 85.75 meters long and 53.62 meters wide; the height of the walls is 48-50 meters. Thanks to this size, it could hold up to 87,000 spectators.

The Colosseum was built on a 13-meter-thick concrete foundation. Initially, there was a statue in each arch, and the huge space between the walls was covered with canvas using a special mechanism, to control which a team of sailors was hired. But neither the rain nor the heat of the sun were a hindrance to the amusements.

Now, everyone can walk along the wreckage of the galleries and imagine how gladiators prepared for battles and wild animals rushed about under the arena.

The Colosseum is guarded with great attention by the current Italian government, by order of which the builders, under the guidance of archaeologists, inserted the scattered debris, where possible, into their former places. Excavations were carried out in the arena, which led to the opening of basements that served to lift people and animals into the arena, various decorations, or to fill with water and lift up ships.

Even in spite of all the hardships experienced by the Colosseum during its existence, its ruins, devoid of internal and external decoration, still make an indelible impression with their majesty and make it clear what its architecture and location were. Vibrations from constant city traffic, atmospheric pollution and rainwater seepage have brought the Colosseum to a critical state. For its preservation, strengthening is required in many places.

Preserving the Colosseum

To keep the Colosseum from further destruction, an agreement was made between the Roman bank and the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage. The first stage is the restoration, treatment of the arcades with a waterproof compound and the reconstruction of the wooden floor of the arena. More recently, part of the arches have been restored and problem areas of the structure have been strengthened.

Today, the Colosseum has become a symbol of Rome and one of the most popular tourist attractions. In 2007 she was elected one of the new seven "wonders of the world".

In the VIII century, the pilgrims said - "While the Colosseum will stand and Rome, disappear the Colosseum - Rome and the whole world will disappear along with it."

The Colosseum is the famous arena where the legendary deadly battles of living beings and the execution of criminals took place. It was a place whose purpose was to instill the greatness of Rome, as well as to remind each of the visitors present of its place in the complex hierarchical social system of ancient Roman society. The Roman emperor who built the Colosseum did not initially think about power. He was chosen by the legionnaires - as was often the case in the history of Ancient Rome. Now a new task lay ahead - to conquer the crowd. The one who built the Colosseum, laying the foundation for the greatness of the Flavian family, understood how to win the hearts and minds of fellow citizens. A little about the history of the construction of one of the bloodiest arenas.

Nero

In 64 A.D. NS. there was a great fire in Rome. The despotic man decided to take advantage of this misfortune. He planned to build a huge residence in the center of the city, called the Golden House. It included an unfinished palace, a 36-meter bronze statue of Nero himself, an artificial lake (with an area of ​​5 football fields), and a huge park. The construction was to be paid for by the people suffering from exorbitant taxes.

In the end, the taxpayers' patience ran out - a riot began. Nero was declared an enemy of the people and committed suicide. The vicissitudes of the civil war were enthroned by Vespasian, who founded the Flavian dynasty.

All this little background allows us to understand for what purpose the Colosseum was built. The location was not chosen by chance. This is the center of Rome. Before that, amphitheaters were located on the outskirts of the city. This emphasized its status as the most important entertainment complex not only in the city, but throughout the empire. The second point, which perfectly illustrates the populist strategy of winning the favor of the Roman citizens, is the place where the Colosseum was built.

To build such an object for the entertainment of citizens on the territory of the residence of the hated Nero is a demonstration to the public of care, protection, patronage.

The die was thrown, the stakes were too high, there was no room for error.

Taking Jerusalem

Vespasian is the emperor who built the Colosseum, pacified Judea and strengthened his rule over Rome. However, at the very beginning of all these actions, he was at a crossroads. He was always distinguished by ambition. The situation in which he found himself at the beginning of construction was new for him. The project required colossal resources, and Emperor Nero managed to empty the treasury. An increase in the tax burden could provoke a social explosion, and the political situation did not allow the construction of the amphitheater to be postponed. In addition, the creation of new jobs in the context of the economic crisis is another opportunity to strengthen one's own power.

In April 70 A.D. NS. Vespasian's eldest son Titus laid siege to Jerusalem. This talented military man, who has repeatedly shown examples of personal courage on the battlefield, was able to conquer the city. The significance of this victory for Rome can hardly be overestimated.

Now all the riches of the Temple Mount of Jerusalem fell at the feet of the conqueror.

For those who built the Colosseum in ancient Rome, Judea was another plundered country, for which the ancient Roman saying was true: "Woe to the vanquished."

Drainage of the lake and drainage of water

The optimal site for the start of construction was an artificial lake located on the territory of the former entertainment complex Nero. It was necessary to drain it. For this purpose, a ditch 50 meters wide and 6 meters deep was dug around the reservoir. Its bottom and walls were lined with stone slabs, and the space between them was filled with a special waterproof mortar.

The final water diversion was made possible thanks to another canal dug and stretching for more than a kilometer. But it was too early to celebrate the victory. Rainwater accumulated at the bottom of the drained lake. For its successful diversion, there was an extensive network of canals built at an angle of 2 degrees. A groove hollowed out in the board was used as a level. Liquid was poured there and thus "caught" a horizontal line above the ground. After that, it only remained to measure the distance down. In such a simple but ingenious way, the underground canals were erected at an optimal angle.

Those who built the Colosseum were talented engineers, but these are far from all the revolutionary achievements that they used.

On the question of slaves during the construction of the Colosseum

It is widely believed that slave labor was widely used in the construction of the Colosseum. Sometimes truly fantastic figures of 100,000 people are cited. Of course, slave labor was used. However, not all operations could be entrusted to an employee with low qualifications, and there were neither resources nor time to train him directly in production.

One of the distinguishing features of those who built the Colosseum is the high organization and culture of production. For their time, the Romans were among the most skillful builders. Therefore, Vespasian (and this is confirmed by the documents) preferred to sell most of the slaves captured as war booty in Jerusalem, and, having rescued fabulous money from this operation, hire experienced skilled specialists.

Long before the conveyor appeared

When the Colosseum was built in Rome, for a very long time this building haunted not only contemporaries, but also many generations of descendants. The Romans applied three innovations, which were the basis for the success of the construction of the complex.

The first innovation is the arches, specially designed to support a lot of weight. Several wedge-shaped blocks arranged in a semicircle stand on two columns. The central stone absorbs the weight of the building, and then it is redistributed through the entire structure to the supporting columns on the sides. This makes it possible to withstand a large load. And if we add here that the space under the columns is free, this further reduces the weight of the entire building.

There were 80 of them on the outer ring of the first row. The same number on the second tier and on the third. The total number is 240. This arched complex had to have a very high level of standardization during its construction. That is, no matter which team made such an arch, it was suitable for any part of the object.

The idea of ​​repetition and interchangeability of building elements from the very beginning dominated the plans of Roman architects. It could not be otherwise. Since a huge number of workers with different levels of professional skills had to work on one construction site.

Roman concrete

The second innovative solution, which helped, on the one hand, to reduce the construction time, and on the other, to reduce the total weight of the amphitheater, is the use of concrete. His recipe is now practically forgotten. There are only vague references to Vitruvius. Used mountain sand (black, carbuncle, gray and red). Without admixture of earth, and also it should crunch in the hand when rubbed.

The addition of lime made the material elastic. He took any necessary form (arch, vault). It seized quickly, had less weight than a stone and was water resistant. These qualities helped him to take its rightful place in ancient Roman architecture.

But concrete could not solve all the pressing issues. Builders still needed durable, and most importantly, lightweight construction material.

The invention of the red brick

When the Colosseum was built in Rome, red brick was just being introduced into construction. Terracotta (red clay) was known. Roofing tiles were made from it. In the course of experiments, she began to appear more and more often in decoration.

Brick and concrete are the main materials used in the construction of this grandiose structure. The first tier was made of stone, as it was he who had to withstand the main load. The next floors were already made of bricks and concrete.

Cranes

Despite the availability of high-quality materials, it was necessary to solve another major problem regarding the delivery of all the necessary elements to the required height. And this required lifting mechanisms. Some of them have come down to modern times, set in motion, thanks to the muscular strength of a person. These are Trispastas and Polyspastos.

These ideas were adopted by the Greeks. The merit of the Romans is that they significantly improved the Greek heritage. Perhaps the most interesting invention is the foot wheel, which significantly increased the crane's power.

The inner diameter of such a wheel, reinforced with an iron strip, ranged from 4 to 6 meters, and its height was over 25 meters. A trained team could handle loads up to 20 tons. Those who built the Colosseum then used these mechanisms to deliver animals and gladiators to the arena on time. But this was already under the emperor Domitian, who, in order to please the crowd, additionally built and equipped the dungeon with everything necessary.

Arena

It had a wooden covering, strewn with sand. In order to organize a "colorful" battle, there was a two-tiered dungeon under it. Gladiators, beasts, slaves with decorations and all other attendants were supposed to act as a single organism.

There is even a rather controversial version that, if necessary, the available hydraulic mechanisms could easily flood the arena and delight guests with an exquisite naval battle. While she does not have serious evidence, however, even without them, the scale of the action is amazing.

Answering the question about the year in which the Colosseum was built in Rome, one cannot fail to note the professionalism and speed of the construction of the structure. In 72, work began, which required serious financial injections. The sacking of Jerusalem provided a financial opportunity for such an ambitious project without attracting additional funding. In 79, Vespasian dies, and his son, who recently ascended the throne, gave the builders a deadline - another year.

80 is the answer to another burning question: under which Roman emperor the Colosseum was built. To be completely precise, he did not build, but completed the last floor, using the lightest building material.

Emperor Titus consecrated him with his presence. He also attended to the construction of an additional 4 wooden tier. The capacity has increased. The figures are up to 87,000 spectators.

Woe to the vanquished

Thanks to cinema and pictures, a very strong opinion has developed that the life of a defeated gladiator depended on the whim of the crowd and the last word of the emperor. A raised thumbs up meant life, and a thumbs down meant death. This is not entirely true. The gesture that ends the fighter's life was different. The crowd in a frenzy drove their thumb at their throats, thereby indicating that the weak must be destroyed by cutting his throat, but these are just details known to a narrow circle of specialists.

To stir up the thirst for blood in the crowd in anticipation of the main action - the battle between people, Venators were called - gladiators who fight with wild beasts. The most famous of them is Karpofar, who killed 20 animals in one day. Bears, tigers, lions went out against such a fighter armed with a spear and shield.

The brutal killing of animals, as well as of people, was not seen as out of the ordinary. It is enough to remember in what century the Colosseum was built. This was the time when the power of Rome rested on her army, and blood, death, pain and humiliation of other living beings were a prerequisite for achieving their own power. Because the enemy will not spare you. He will only laugh at your weakness.

Domitian

Emperor Domitian, who replaced his father and brother, breathed new life into the main brainchild of his family. And here you involuntarily again return to the question of under which emperor the Colosseum was built, but exactly the one about which the verses were written. Where none of those present, including even the most direct participants in those events, knew about what new test awaits in the arena.

The element of surprise introduced during this period did not allow the soldiers to relax and tickled the nerves of the audience, grateful to their emperor. The latter shamelessly took advantage of this disposition of his people, ordering to call himself "lord and god." He went down in history thanks to numerous trials and subsequent executions on charges of "insult to greatness."

The senators killed the last of the Flavians, and even the admiration of the crowd, fueled by the bloody spectacles of the Colosseum, did not save him. The true significance of this amphitheater in the life of ancient society can only be understood by a contemporary of those events. It is wrong to judge the customs and traditions of Rome from the standpoint of a modern person. The surviving architectural monument is the cultural heritage of mankind, even if so dark, bloody and ominous. Despite many years of research by scientists of the territory, construction and architectural features, the last point in issues related to the history of the Colosseum has not been put. And this is unlikely to happen in the near future.

The Flavian Amphitheater, or Colosseum, is located in Rome and is a large ellipsoidal arena erected at the very beginning of our era (1st century), during the time of the rulers of the Flavian dynasty. The stadium has been used for a variety of exciting public entertainment events. Let's take a closer look at the history of the amphitheater and figure out how old the Colosseum is in Rome.

Purpose of construction

Who built the Colosseum in Rome and why? The construction of the amphitheater began in 72, during the reign of Titus Flavius ​​Vespian (December 20, 69 - June 24, 79) on the site where the lake and gardens of the palace and park complex "Golden House" of Emperor Nero were once located.

The construction was part of a broader building program initiated by Vespasian to restore the former glory of Rome, which was lost as a result civil war after the death of the tyrant ruler Nero. The emperor also ordered to start minting new coins depicting new buildings - the Temple of Peace, the Sanctuary of Claudius and the Colosseum - in order to show the world that the reviving Rome is still the center of the Ancient World.

origin of name

The first name of the attraction is the Flavian Amphitheater. As you might guess, the building received such a name in honor of the dynasty that initiated the construction.

And the well-known modern name Colosseum (in English Colosseum) came from a very large sculpture of Nero, which stood next to the theater, but disappeared without a trace in the Middle Ages. The name literally translates as "huge statue" (from the English word colossus).

Construction history

The main construction work lasted eight years. The Flavian Amphitheater began its activity already in 80, that is, during the reign of Titus, the first heir to the former emperor Vespasian. But only during the reign of another son, Domitian, was all the work finally completed.

Funding was carried out at the expense of the plundering of Jerusalem and the sale of captives from there (their number was equal to thirty thousand). Another hundred thousand slaves were taken to Rome to obtain building material and the construction itself.

Therefore, it turns out that the theater was built mainly from local minerals and bricks. So, the walls were erected from large travertine marble, and for their decoration they used volcanic tuff stone, limestone and brick. The vaults of the Colosseum were erected from light pumice.

Building dimensions

The finished Colosseum in ancient Rome was something that had not been seen before. It had four floors and walls more than 45 meters (about 150 feet) high, and in some places they reached 50 meters. The foundation was 13 meters thick. And the dimensions in length were simply amazing - the walls of the outer ellipse were 524 meters long. The arena itself was 53.62 meters wide and 85.75 meters long. The total area of ​​the Colosseum is 24,000 square meters.

Thanks to such an impressive size, the building could accommodate up to eighty-five thousand spectators.

Amphitheater architecture

The architecture of the Colosseum in Rome is also impressive - monumental arches arranged in three tiers, columns of Ionic, Tuscan, Corinthian orders.

The structure included eighty entrances. Four of them were intended for rulers. They were in the northern part of the structure. Fourteen entrances were for the riders, the remaining fifty-two for the rest of the audience.

Scheme of occupied places by class (bottom-up):

• senators;
• know;
• the rest of the citizens.

Places of the emperor and his retinue were located in the north and south.

The system of corridors and tunnels practically excluded the possibility of crowding and meeting people from different classes.

Also, the architecture of the building provided for the installation of awnings over the arena during too sunny days.

The purpose of the amphitheater

In ancient Rome, in order to earn the respect of the common people, the ruling class had to endure mass spectacles. The arena of the Colosseum was the best fit for this purpose. Therefore, within the walls of the amphitheater, gladiator fights (munera), animal hunting (venationes) and navmachia (sea battles) were often held.

Such events required not only large material costs, but also rules and special regulatory laws. Therefore, the Roman emperors created the Ministry of Games (Ratio a muneribus), which dealt with these issues.

Everyone could visit the Colosseum - from the nobility to the common people, but only free citizens. Therefore, it is not surprising that all segments of the population could meet within its walls.

Gladiator fights

The role of gladiators was played by people who, in fact, were not needed by the state for any other purposes and did not have any rights. Most often they were slaves and convicts sentenced to death. These people were not immediately sent to battles. Initially, they needed to be trained in gladiatorial schools.

Slaves had some advantage over criminals. The latter had no chance of survival - they had to die either in the arena during the battle, or during the execution of the death penalty. The slaves were supposed to perform in the Colosseum for only three years.

After some time, volunteers - free Romans - began to enroll in the ranks of gladiators. The training lasted for several years before they were allowed to enter the arena. Gladiators obeyed a lanista - an overseer who had the right to life and death over the warriors.

Hunting animals

Hunting for animals was no less popular in the Colosseum. It was held in the morning and was a kind of prelude to gladiatorial battles in the evening.

These performances were the only opportunity for many citizens to see rare species of animals that were specially caught in different parts of the Roman Empire and not only. Among them were:

• lions;
• tigers;
• elephants;
• bulls;
• the Bears;
• crocodiles;
• rhinos and others.

The height of the fencing of the arena from the audience was increased to five meters for the safety of the latter. And for more interest, the organizers exhibited mixed pairs. For example, python versus bear, bear versus seal, lion versus crocodile. But one could also see the classic fights - a lion against a tiger.

Another type of competition was the battles of people against animals. The fighters were equipped with a spear and released into the arena.

Naval battles

The most expensive events held within the walls of the Colosseum were battles called navmachia, or naval battles. These were replays of famous battles on the high seas. The arena was filled with water using a sophisticated hydraulic system.

The participants were almost always criminals who were sentenced to death, sometimes specially trained sailors met in their ranks. For battles, ships were used that were in no way inferior to real combat ones.

During the period of the navmachia, such naval battles were staged as:

• the extermination of the Athenian fleet at Egospotamy;
• the triumph of the Greeks over the Persians during the battle at Salamis and others.

After the games

The history of the Colosseum in Rome changed a lot with the spread of Christianity throughout Europe. With his arrival in Italy, the killing of people within the walls of the amphitheater stopped, as did the hunting of animals. It happened in 405 by order of the emperor Honorius. In addition, the organization and conduct of games required considerable financial costs, which the Roman Empire could no longer go due to the economic crisis caused by the invasions of the barbarians.

The Colosseum in Rome began to be used for simpler purposes at various times:

• for housing;
• as a fortress;
• as a religious abode.

The building was no longer looked after as diligently as in the era of gladiatorial battles. The walls of the theater began to succumb to the barbaric attitude of people who pulled almost everything that they saw and could carry away to their homes and for the construction of other buildings. For example, the marble cladding and bricks of the Colosseum were used during the construction of the Palazzo Venezia, Cathedrals of St. Peter and John the Baptist. Earthquakes that occur from time to time have had a no less destructive effect. For example, as a result of the most powerful of them in the fourteenth century, one part of the theater wall was destroyed.

Gradually, the Colosseum in ancient Rome faded away, leaving behind only a shadow.

According to researchers, the amphitheater has lost almost two-thirds of its original size in just five centuries (from the 6th to the 21st centuries).

Revival of the theater

The Colosseum was saved from disappearing altogether from the earth by its reputation as a sacred place where Christian martyrs met their fate. But the results of modern historical research indicate that the fact of Christian sacrifice within the walls of the amphitheater is nothing more than a myth.

The complete destruction ended in 1749 when the Colosseum was recognized as a public church by order of Pope Benedict XIV. A huge cross was erected in the middle of the arena, and altars around it.

The walls of the once huge Colosseum were not only left alone, but gradually began to be restored. Since then, reconstruction activities have continued with short interruptions.

Today's Colosseum in Rome - an overview

The Colosseum is still far from the full restoration of its former grandeur - to our days only thirty percent of the total volume remains from it. Despite this, its ruins are one of the popular tourist attractions. The number of photos of the Colosseum in Rome is not inferior to those of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

Among the restoration work carried out, which further increased interest in the amphitheater and increased the number of places for visiting tourists, the following should be attributed:

1. Clearing and restoration of underground tunnels, intended as a place for gladiators to wait for their turn to enter the arena (work carried out in 2010).
2. Restoration of the third tier of the theater, which was intended for middle-class audiences (the first works were carried out back in 1970).

To date, the following places of the Colosseum are freely available:

• the arena and part of the underground rooms, where you can feel the full power of the amphitheater and feel like in the place of ancient gladiators;
• spectator seats in the first tier, that is, the imperial and senatorial boxes, on some you can still see the names of the Roman leaders who have been here;
• practically all preserved galleries, stairs and passages;
• Gates;
• the upper galleries, which offer a stunning view, but only the daredevils manage to get there.

The plans of the Roman authorities to carry out several more complexes of reconstruction work:

1. Restoration of the inner zone of the theater.
2. Complex restoration of underground premises.
3. Construction of a tourist service center.

In addition to a tourist attraction, today the Colosseum in Rome serves as the site of a few worship services for the Pope. Also, concerts were organized here by Americans Billy Joel and Ray Charles, Englishmen Paul McCartney and Elton John.

And since July 7, 2007, a description of the Colosseum in Rome can be found in various publishers, telling about the seven wonders of the world.

Where is the Colosseum located?

The address of the Colosseum is the area of ​​Rome Celio, Piazza Colosseum, 1. Detailed directions can be viewed on the official website of the amphitheater.

They also offer to get to the sights in the following ways:

• by metro, getting off at the Colosseo station (line B);
• by buses 60, 70, 85, 87, 175, 186, 271, 571, 810, 850, C3;
• electric minibus No. 117;
• on tram line no. 3.

Tickets are bought at the entrance to the Colosseum. But to get them, you have to stand in a general long queue, the waiting time in which can drag on for several hours. The ticket office itself closes one hour before the Colosseum closes. Some tourists go for a trick - they buy a complex ticket. It gives the right to enter three attractions - the Colosseum, Palatine and Forum. The price of such a ticket is about twelve euros.

Colosseum visit times are subject to change. It depends on the ongoing reconstruction work. The current schedule can always be found on the official website. According to the latest information, the amphitheater is open from 8:30 am until:

• 16:30 (until February 15);
• 17:00 hours (from February 16 to March 15);
• 17:30 (from March 16 to March 28);
• 19:15 (from March 29 to August 31);
• 19:00 pm (September 1-30);
• 18:30 hours (from 3 to 31 October).

You can also find out more about the opening hours thanks to the information signs placed at the entrance to the Colosseum.

If you ask any person what Rome is associated with, the answer is likely to be the Colosseum and the Vatican. Indeed, these magnificent buildings symbolize the time when the eternal city of Rome asserted its glory and power. The Colosseum dates back to the era of Ancient Rome, when the city was the capital of the powerful Roman Empire, which laid the foundations of European civilization. The Vatican is associated with Catholicism, one of the most influential religions in the world. Continuing the associative array, any person, hearing the word Colosseum, will name Rome, gladiators, gladiator fights.

The Colosseum was built in the center of Ancient Rome between three of the seven hills - Palatine, Esquiline and Celievsky. Before the construction of the Colosseum, in this place there was a hollow part of the territory of which was flooded with a lake and there was also the palace of the emperor Nero.

Nero arranged a "golden palace" for himself, for the construction of which he constantly had to increase taxes. In the end, protests against the exorbitant extortion collected for the emperor turned into riots. The most desperate of these was the revolt in Judea. Vespassian and later his son, Titus, went to suppress it. The uprising was suppressed, Jerusalem was plundered, about 30,000 slaves were brought in for sale. All this became a source of financing for the construction of the future mega arena.

The Colosseum is now located at the end of Via dei Fori Imperiali, leading from Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill, past the Roman Forum. By the way, the Imperial Forums (Via dei Fori Imperiali) and the Roman Forum are two different attractions. The Roman Forum is a square with partly preserved structures from the era of Ancient Rome, which includes the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of the Vestals, the Tabularia (archive), the Curia of Julius, etc.

How the Colosseum was built.

The Colosseum (Colloseo) was built during the reign of the emperors of ancient Rome Titus Vespassian and his son Titus from the Flavian dynasty. Therefore, the Colosseum is also called the Flavian amphitheater. Construction began in the 72nd century AD. NS. under Vespassian, and ended in 80 under Titus. Vespassian wanted to perpetuate the memory of his dynasty and strengthen the greatness of Rome, adding to this the triumph of Titus after the suppression of the Jewish revolt.

The Colosseum was built by more than 100,000 prisoners and prisoners. Building stones were mined in quarries near Tivoli (now it is a suburb of Rome with beautiful palaces, gardens and fountains). The main building materials of all Roman structures are travertine and marble. Red brick and concrete were used as know-how in the construction of the Colosseum. The stones were hewn out and held together with steel staples to reinforce the stone blocks.

Architectural and engineering wonders of the ancient amphitheater

The amphitheaters of antiquity were marvels of architecture and engineering, which modern specialists never cease to admire. The Colosseum amphitheater, like other such buildings, has the shape of an ellipse, the outer length of which is 524 m. The height of the walls is 50 m. The length of the stadium is 188 m along the major axis, 156 m along the minor axis. The arena's length is 85.5 m, its width is 53.5 m. The width of the foundation is 13 m. To build such a grandiose structure, and even on the site of a dried lake, set a number of important tasks for the Flavian engineers.

First, the lake had to be drained. For this, a system of hydrostatic channels, slopes and gutters was invented, which can be seen even today, once inside the Colosseum. Runoffs and gutters were also used to divert storm streams that flowed into the sewage system of the ancient city.

Secondly, it was necessary to make the mega-structure so strong that it would not collapse under its own weight. For this, the structure was made arched. Pay attention to the image of the Colosseum - in it the arches of the lower tier, above them are the arches of the middle, upper, etc. It was an ingenious solution capable of supporting the colossal weight and also giving the structure the appearance of lightness. Here it is necessary to mention one more advantage of arched structures. Their procurement did not require super-skilled labor. The workers were mainly engaged in the creation of standardized arches.

Thirdly, there was the question of building materials. We have already mentioned here travertine, red brick, marble, and the use of concrete as a bonding mortar.

Surprisingly, the ancient architects figured out even the most advantageous angle of inclination at which to place the seats for the public. This angle is 30 '. On the uppermost seats, the tilt angle is already 35 '. There were also a number of other engineering and construction issues that were successfully resolved during the construction of the ancient arena.

During its heyday, the Flavian Amphitheater had 64 entrances - exits, which made it possible to let the audience in and out in a matter of time. This invention of the ancient world is used in the construction of modern stadiums, which can simultaneously let spectators in streams through different aisles into different sections without creating a crowd. In addition, there was a well-thought-out system of corridors and steps, and people could climb the tiers to their places very quickly. And now you can see the numbers engraved above the entrances.

The arena in the Colosseum was covered with planks. The floor level could be adjusted using engineering structures. If necessary, the boards were removed and it became possible to organize even sea battles and battles with animals. Chariot races were not held in the Colosseum; for this, the Maxim circus was built in Rome. There were technical rooms under the arena. They could contain animals, equipment, etc.

Around the arena, behind the outer walls, in the basement, the gladiators were waiting for their entrance to the arena, there were cages with animals, there were rooms for the wounded and the dead. All rooms were connected by a system of lifts, which were lifted on ropes and chains. The Colosseum counted 38 elevators.

From the outside, the Flavian Theater was faced with marble. The entrances to the amphitheater were decorated with marble statues of gods, heroes and noble citizens. Fences were set up to hold back the onslaught of the crowd trying to get inside.

Currently, inside this miracle of the ancient world, only the grandiose scale of the structure testifies to its former greatness and amazing adaptations.

Inside the Colosseum

The arena was surrounded by rows of public seating in three tiers. A special place (podium) was reserved for the emperor, members of his family, vestals (maidens) and senators.

The citizens of Rome and guests were seated in three tiers of seats, strictly according to the social hierarchy. The first tier was intended for city authorities, noble townspeople, horsemen (a type of estate in ancient Rome). The second tier had seats for Roman citizens. The third tier was intended for the poor. Titus completed another fourth tier. Gravediggers, actors and ex-gladiators were prohibited from being among the spectators.

During the performances, merchants scurried about between the spectators, offering their goods and food. Details of gladiatorial costumes and figurines-images of the most prominent gladiators were special types of souvenirs. Like the Forum, the Colosseum served as a center of social life and a place of communication for the townspeople.

Theaters in Ancient Rome

Theaters gained popularity in ancient Rome as early as the 3rd century BC after the Romans became familiar with the culture of the Greeks. The first theatrical performances were held in primitive wooden barracks, but in 55 BC. NS. The first stone theater was built by Pompey the Great. It accommodated 27,000 spectators. From that moment on, stone theaters began to appear throughout the empire.

Dramatic performances were shown in theaters, jugglers, mimes, and other artists performed in them for the amusement of the audience, which, as the famous Roman proverb says, wanted “bread and circuses”. Public entertainment also included chariot races, gladiatorial fights, and wildlife baiting. The authorities, knowing how to win the favor of the people, invested a lot of money in their entertainment. Public events were also held in honor of religious holidays. For ordinary citizens of Rome, such mass entertainment was free, although there was an admission system for tickets.

Gladiators

Gladiators were prisoners, criminals, slaves, or volunteers who received payment for arena battles. There is information that the Emperor Komodus consoled himself, entering the arena with the gladiators. As historians testify, the Chest of drawers fought 735 battles.

It is believed that gladiators appeared as a continuation of the traditions of the Etruscans (the people who inhabited the area of ​​present-day Tuscany in the 1st millennium BC). The Etruscans exhibited criminals and prisoners to fight in burial ceremonies, thus honoring the memory of the deceased. It was a ritual of human sacrifice. There have been cases when the Etruscans could commit self-sacrifice.

If at first the criminals fought in the arenas as best they could, then later they began to approach the gladiators more professionally. On the territory of Ancient Rome, gladiatorial schools appeared - ludus, where warriors trained for 12-14 hours a day in the ability to wield different types of weapons, inflict fatal blows, shed blood, without causing special harm to the enemy, and defend themselves. It took years to train a professional gladiator, and not every one of them withstood such a tough training regime.

Fighting in the arena was prestigious, and those who did it successfully received high rewards. In comparison, this reward could be equal to the annual income of a soldier in the Roman army. The gladiator, who aroused the delight and adoration of the crowd, received a special wreath, and his name was immortalized. Successful gladiator slaves were freed. The sign of freedom was a wooden sword called rud. The name of the fighter and his victory was engraved on the rudia. The freed gladiators continued to pursue their craft, to which they devoted so many hours of training. And they didn’t know how to do anything else. Someone became a coach in the same Ludus, someone signed up as a mercenary in the army.

Gladiator fights

Gladiator fights were ordered by the authorities or private individuals to perpetuate the memory of one of their ancestors, or in honor of an important event and religious holiday. At first, gladiatorial battles were not grandiose, but over time they acquired an increasing scale. So, for example, in the performance, on which the emperor Trajan sat as the main one, and which lasted 117 days !!!, 10,000 gladiators took part !!!

Games started in the morning. Initially, gladiators entered the arena, accompanied by jugglers, actors, mimes, musicians and priests. The arena was covered with sand, which absorbed blood. The sand was dyed in advance. To neutralize the smell of blood, tubs of incense were placed around the arena. The battles themselves began at noon. To protect spectators from the heat and bad weather, canvas was stretched over the arena. This was done by the sailors of the fleet, who occupied their seats at the very top of the amphitheater.

Professional gladiators were classified according to how they dressed and what weapons they used during combat.
So, the following types of gladiators were distinguished:

- retiary. The retiarius fought with a net, a trident, and a dagger.
- murmillon. A characteristic feature of the appearance of this gladiator was a helmet with a fish on a ridge, he had armor on his forearm, and thick windings on his legs.
- Samnite. Samnite was one of the most ancient types of gladiators, heavily armed.
- Thracian. The Thracian had a griffin on a large helmet, which also covered his neck. Weapons include a Thracian crooked sword and a small shield.
- dimacher. Fought with two swords.
- scissor. Skissor was armed with a short sword called a gladius and a cutting weapon that resembled a pair of scissors.

There were also gladiators - Gollomachs, Andabats, Goplomakhs, Essedarii, Lakvearii, Securators, Bestiaries, Venators. The Pregenaria began fighting. They were fighters who fought with wooden swords in order to inflame the crowd and warm up emotions. Then the Venators came out, professionally executing criminals. Then there was a line of bestiaries who poisoned animals. And only at the end did the fights begin, which we present as real gladiator fights.

A raised thumb is life ...

In the arena, gladiators for the entertainment of spectators could inflict wounds on each other in such a way that blood was shed demonstratively. The crowd gasped at the sight of blood and roared with delight. Such wounds were not fatal. And, in general, contrary to popular belief, gladiators rarely fought to the death. According to historians, during the entire time of gladiatorial battles, 10% of all professional gladiators died.

The fighting lasted until the moment when the defeated one asked for mercy, raising his index and middle fingers together. The gladiators fought desperately, since only selfless and courageous warriors aroused the approval and sympathy of the crowd, who shouted furiously at every successful blow and every successful reception.

Today, any schoolchild already knows about the special gestures associated with gladiatorial fights. So, the thumb raised up, meant life to the defeated warrior who deserved mercy with his courageous battle. A downward thumb meant that the wounded gladiator had to be finished off. The decision was made by the emperor, he also decided the fate of the loser in the fight with a gesture. The crowd expressed their opinion with their shouts, prompting the emperor with a decision.

The further fate of the Colosseum

The beginning of the destruction of the Colosseum was provoked by the invasion of the barbarians in 408-410 AD, when the arena arrived in desolation and without proper care. From the beginning of the 11th century until 1132, the amphitheater was used by the noble families of Rome as a fortress in the struggle between themselves, the Frangipani and Annibaldi families are especially famous. Who were forced to cede the Colosseum to the English emperor Henry VII, who handed it over to the Roman Senate.

As a result of a powerful earthquake in 1349, the Colosseum was severely damaged, and its southern part collapsed. After this event, the ancient arena began to be used for the extraction of building material, but not only the collapsed part of it, stones were also broken out of the surviving walls. So, from the stones of the Colosseum in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Venetian palace, the palace of the Chancellery (Cancelleria), and the Palazzo Farnese were built. Despite all the destruction, most of the Colosseum survived, although in general the great arena remained disfigured.

The attitude of the church to the old monument of ancient architecture has improved since the middle of the 18th century, when Pope Benedict XIV was elected. The new pope dedicated the ancient arena to the Passion of Christ - the place where the blood of Christian martyrs was shed. By order of the pope, a large cross was erected in the middle of the arena of the Colosseum, and several altars were erected around. In 1874, church attributes were removed from the Colosseum. After the departure of Benedict XIV, church hierarchs continued to monitor the safety of the Colosseum.

The modern Colosseum, as an architectural monument, is protected, and its fragments, if possible, were installed in their original places. Despite all the trials that have befallen the ancient arena for millennia, the ruins of the Colosseum, devoid of expensive decoration, still make a strong impression and provide an opportunity to imagine the former greatness of the arena.

Today the Colosseum is a symbol of Rome, as well as a famous tourist attraction. On July 7, 2007, as a result of a vote, the Colosseum was awarded the title of the New Wonder of the World.

Guided tours of the Colosseum - an immersion in the past.

You can get to the Colosseum by standing in line and purchasing a ticket to visit the large-scale stadium of antiquity. Once in the Colosseum or wandering among the ruins of the Roman Forum, it is as if you are going back two thousand years. Thousands of tourists flock to the ancient entrances, seeping into the Colosseum stadium, just as the audience seeped in ancient Rome for spectacular events. However, today tourists will not see deadly fights and demonstrative executions there. They will walk around the tiers and look at the stone foundations in the center of the arena, taking breathtaking photos. Around the Colosseum, actors, disguised as Roman legionnaires and gladiators, stand and walk. They attract tourists and take pictures with them.

Today, a ticket to the Colosseum costs € 12.00, for this fee, in addition to the amphitheater, you can visit the Roman Forum and the Capitoline Hill. You can buy a ticket at the box office of the Colosseum (but there is a large queue, however, moving quickly), or at the box office on Capitol Hill. There is a small queue. Having examined the place from where Rome began, where the she-wolf nursed Romulus and Remus, you can then slowly proceed along the Imperial Forums to the Roman Forum, and from there to the Colosseum. On the way, on the wall, you can see bronze tablets depicting a map of the Roman Empire at different times during its heyday.

The Colosseum opens for visits at 8.30 and closes an hour before sunset, at 16.30 - 18.30, depending on the season.

How to get to the Colosseum and what to see nearby.

By metro: line B (blue line) to Colloseo station, buses 60, 75, 85, 87, 271, 571, 175, 186, 810, 850, tram no. 3, as well as taxis.

Near the Colosseum stands the beautifully preserved Arch of Constantine (Arch of Constantine), erected to commemorate his victory over Maxentius in 315 AD.

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