Every year, architectural masterpieces appear on our planet that amaze with complexity, originality, and beauty. Sparkling with the latest materials, building structures assembled using modern technology, they are admired. However, among the majestic sights created by ordinary human hands, there are those that have become an eternal value, a memory of the history of the planet, for example, the Colosseum in Rome.

Construction history

For 8 years, day and night, the hellish labor of slaves implemented the project of the architect Quintius Aterius to create a majestic amphitheater of antiquity. The main purpose of creating an architectural miracle was the desire to perpetuate the power of the Flavian dynasty, the greatness of Rome. Based on the predictions of the soothsayers, 77 living slaves were buried in the foundation of the building, which should stand for at least 77 centuries.

The beginning of construction is associated with the name of the emperor Vespasian in the year 72 of the modern era. The consecration of the amphitheater, erected in the place of the famous lake of the Golden House of Nero, was carried out by Emperor Titus after 8 years. It was a triumph of victory in the suppression of the rebellion of the Jews, who were included in the lists of 100,000 captive people involved in the construction. It was they who erected the building, which in the 1st century was included in the list of the seven famous wonders of the world by the poet Martial.

The ancient Colosseum can tell about different moments of its long history, for example, the fire of 217. About the festival held in honor of the millennium of Rome, cruel gladiator fights, the earthquake of 1349, the devastating wounds of the barbarian invasion, and the numerous restorations of the amphitheater. Any moments of the life of a public building reflected the historical events of Rome. No wonder the pilgrims of the 7th century said that “While the Colosseum stands, Rome will stand. When Rome falls, the world falls.”

Purpose of construction

A glorious and mournful monument to the cruel empire of Rome, it was erected as a theater that gave “bread and circuses”, the main political way of maintaining power by the powerful rulers of the country. The historical, cult symbol of Rome, a creation of the highest engineering thought, was intended for large-scale holidays, spectacles, and mysteries. In the country, in many places, the construction of ancient theaters was carried out. These events reliably distracted the inhabitants of the city from dissatisfaction with the policies of the emperors.

It was possible to visit the spectacles in the Colosseum without payment, having received flour at the entrance for making bread. Huge financial investments in all events held in the Colosseum emphasized the wealth and power of the current ruler. Moreover, they took place on the site of lands transferred to the people after the death of the hated Nero. In honor of the opening of the Colosseum, a celebration was organized that lasted 97 days. About two thousand brave gladiators, three thousand different animals died during the event.

Deep wells located in the dungeons of the Colosseum received the bodies of the dead. There is a legend according to which at that moment the name of the monster who lived in the dungeons of the Colosseum, thirsting for blood and pain, became known. The same feeling of unusual cruelty, inhuman treatment of living beings brought extraordinary pleasure to the audience of the amphitheater.

The huge size of the amphitheater was not the first in the history of ancient Rome. Unfortunately, the most grandiose building, called the Big Circus, has not been preserved. It is known that the center was a hippodrome, where chariot races were held in the presence of about 300 thousand spectators.

origin of name

There are several versions of the origin of the name of the Colosseum. Initially, the architectural landmark was called the Flavian Amphitheater, confirming the main purpose of its construction. Later it was called Caesar's amphitheater, the Arena. Much later, the majestic size of the building gave it the name Colosseum, meaning “colossal” (colosseum). According to another version, this is associated with the statue of Nero, which stood nearby. It was made of bronze covered with gold. The height of the statue was equal to a 12-storey modern building. Her whereabouts are currently unknown.

There is a hypothesis based on the meaning of the word Collis Iseum or the name of the hill on which the table is the temple of the goddess Isis. And another meaning of this word is the question “Do you worship him?”. It was asked in the rituals of black magic of Satanists, passing here at night during the late Renaissance. Whatever version of the existence of the name of the amazing place is accepted, the Colosseum bears it for about 2 thousand years.

Why destroyed

Along with the fall of the Roman Empire, the period of destruction of the famous amphitheater began. The invasion of the barbarians in 410 AD caused great damage to the building, provoked a huge financial crisis of the empire. The cost of maintaining the amphitheater has been drastically reduced. The nascent Christianity forbade the killing of people and animals. The last bloody spectacle was held in 523. The need for entertainment shows disappeared. The purpose of the Colosseum has changed.

The constant destruction of the amphitheater led to the disappearance of a large part of the buildings. According to experts, two thirds of the structure perished only in the Stone Age. Forever forgotten is the passage to the underground sea, where the terrible monster of Nero lived in darkness and gloom, remaining in myths and legends. The Middle Ages used the Colosseum as a castle, a fortress. The rules of life of the Renaissance, the earthquake that destroyed the southern part of the amphitheater, allowed local residents to take building blocks, bricks, marble for personal purposes with impunity.

The Chancery Palace, the Venetian Palace, the Farnese Palace, the Cathedrals of Saints Peter and John the Baptist on the Lutheran Hill were built from building material taken from the walls of the Colosseum. Among the ruins of the Colosseum, reminiscent of a shadow of its past, the homeless found shelter, church events took place in memory of the spilled blood. The end of the destruction of the Colosseum is associated with the name of Pope Benedict XIV in the 18th century.

Until now, every Good Friday, the procession is performed by believing Christians. The surviving part of the building began to be gradually restored. In the 18th century, the Colosseum was classified as a monument of history and architecture. It opened for tourists on July 19, 2000, and in 2007 made it an element of the UNESCO lists as a world heritage site.

Architecture

Until now, engineering solutions used in the construction of the Colosseum are used in the construction of modern stadiums and arenas. It is unlikely that surprise will ever disappear from the methods of creating the amphitheater's water runoff, the unusual strength of the arched structure, which makes it possible to hold thousands of spectators, ensuring their safety, including from fires.

The amphitheater in each place had an optimal seating angle, an easy way to find a specific place, free entry, exit. The massive structure, thanks to the ideas of the architects of ancient Rome, who used a honeycomb structure, acquired an unusual lightness, the beauty of stone lace.

Facade

Looking at the preserved walls of the Colosseum, one cannot see elements of the classical models of Greek temples in the form of rectangular rows of columns decorated with pediments. Closest of all, the appearance of the Colosseum resembles a honeycomb of numerous arches connected according to the laws of an ellipse with dimensions of 83×48 m. This form forbade gladiators to fight in corners that some spectators could not see. This technique is still used in the design of sports buildings.

All 80 entrances were decorated with statues of famous personalities of the country, gods. Entrances are made of travertine, marble, red brick, tuff. Four of them were used by persons from the highest nobility. They led to the bottom row of the amphitheater. Four tiers were used to accommodate spectators. The lower devices consisted of arcades (80 arches each). An orange, linen awning was attached to the cornice of the fourth tier, protecting the audience from the bright sun and rain. During the reign of Domitian, another level was built to the amphitheater with standing places for the poor, slaves, and women.

Entrance to performances was forbidden to actors, former gladiators, gravediggers. The even distribution of entrances along the perimeter of the amphitheater made it possible to fill the arena in 15 minutes, and to empty it, if necessary, in just 5 minutes. This constructive solution was called “vomitoria” (“vomere”, which means “spewing”). It is still in use today. The system of steps and corridors allowed spectators to quickly climb to their seats without interfering with each other.

Until now, on the walls of the Colosseum, you can see the revenge numbers written in ancient times. On the outer side of the Colosseum were the entrances to the basement, where the gladiators were waiting for their entry into the arena. Animals were kept in huge cages, rooms for the wounded and the dead were equipped. All rooms were connected by a system of 38 elevators operating on cables and chains.

Dimensions

The most famous amphitheater of antiquity has a length of the outer ellipse of 524 m. Its major axis is 188 m, the length of the minor one is 156 m. The arena is made in the form of a smaller ellipse. Its length is 85.5 m, width 53.5 m. The Colosseum stands on a foundation with a width of 13 m. The height of the building reaches 50 m. 80 walls directed along the radius were used in the construction of the building. A large number of pillars (about 240 pieces), easing the pressure of the bearing vaults. The whole building was surrounded by a path, 17.5 m wide, covered with travertine.

Internal organization

Inside the amphitheater there was an arena, places for spectators on different tiers. The more significant the position of a person, the lower the place was given to him. The system of social subordination was strictly enforced. There were pillows on the stone steps below, you could bring your own chair. The arena of wooden boards was separated from the audience by a metal grate. Under it were service passages for moving people, scenery.

It was possible to fill the arena with water for the famous naval battles. The slope of the arena floor was adjustable. It was carefully covered with a layer of sand to effectively absorb blood. Pots of incense were placed around the arena to neutralize the smell of blood.

The total number of seats (50,000) was divided into tiers corresponding to the tiers of the façade. The bottom row (podium) belonged to the emperor, his family, and senators. In the first tier there were 20 rows, in the second 16, for representatives of the middle class. There was a wall between the second and third tiers. The seats of the third tier had a greater slope. Representatives of the lower classes sat on them. The interior parts of the Colosseum are made of brick, tuff, marble, large stone, blocks, pieces, wood.

During performances, merchants were allowed to offer their goods to the audience. These were souvenirs in the form of a gladiator costume, figurines of famous warriors, delicious food. At the entrance to the Colosseum, an invitation (tesser) was presented, which was a marble plate or cube indicating the place. Spectators had to comply with the dress code. In this case, men must be in a toga.

The purpose of the amphitheater

Life was seething in the Colosseum, it was considered a popular meeting place for representatives of different classes. Fierce battles, killings were a natural need of the population of those times. It sometimes seems to modern tourists that rivers of blood and pain have soaked the ancient land. And a terrible monster is waiting for its heyday, hiding in the deep bowels. What did the Romans admire so much? These were venationes (animal hunting), munera (gladiator fights), naumachia (sea battles).

Gladiator fights

A little more than four centuries in the arena at exactly noon, the previously planned spectacle opened. Gladiator fights were held by order of influential people in honor of the festivities, perpetuating the memory of famous ancestors. The start of the games was planned for the morning, but the gladiators were the first to enter the arena along with musicians, actors, mimes, priests. The opening battle was conducted by a pregenarium who fought with a wooden sword, creating an emotional atmosphere for the audience.

Depending on the type of weapon, clothes, professional gladiators were called retiarius, murmillon, samnite, thracia, dimacher, skisser, etc. Professional qualities, rules of warfare were developed in special schools called ludus. Only at the very beginning of the organization of spectacles, the role of gladiators was performed by prisoners, criminals who fought as best they could. Then they were brought up from among the slaves, ordinary residents who considered the battle in the arena a prestigious, highly paid service. At the end of the period of Roman power, almost half of the total number of gladiators consisted of free citizens.

The preparation of a real gladiator was considered a lengthy, difficult task and was carried out under an oath “to endure punishment with a whip, a brand, to accept death by the sword.” A weakening gladiator had the right to ask for mercy. He raised up, index and ring fingers. Only the emperor with his gesture (thumb up or down) decided the fate of the fighter. Delight, the opinion of the crowd was reflected in the fate of the gladiator. He was given a special wreath, the slave was given freedom and a wooden sword (rudiy) engraved with the name of the fighter.

The rules of warfare were carefully thought out. They were taught in schools, it was forbidden to break the rules. The fighters began their first battles at the age of about 17 years. The average life expectancy before death did not exceed 5 years. Few fought more than 50 battles. Up to 75% of gladiators died during the first 10 fights. The life of slaves was not valued, their bodies after death were thrown away to be eaten by stray dogs.

The fate of those participating in gladiator fights was different. The bodies were dumped into deep mines leading to the underground sea where the monster lived. This was a kind of justification for the all-powerful people of the empire (death to continue life). The famous slave uprising led by Spartacus confirms the difficult conditions of life in schools. The last gladiator fight took place in 404. The emergence of Christianity ended the tradition of killing people.

Animal hunting

Often, as a prelude to the performance of gladiators, hunting for various wild animals was organized in the Colosseum. Tigers, elephants, lions, pythons, crocodiles, bulls, bears were caught in advance throughout the entire area of the empire and delivered to the place. Two variants of struggle were used: a person with an animal and pairs of animals. At the same time, one could see not only the natural combination of the warring parties, for example, a lion with a tiger, a bull with a bear, but also attacks that were unequal or impossible in natural conditions.

Sometimes the unfortunate animal was chained to the floor of the arena, depriving him of the opportunity to maneuver for protection. It is said that around 9,000 animals died during the opening of the Colosseum alone. There is historical evidence that during the reign of Sulla 100 lions fought in the arena, under Julius Caesar their number increased to 400 units. In honor of the victory of Troyan, 11 thousand different animals died.

Naval battles

Expensive naval battles called Naumachia appeared in the third century BC. They were carried out only in exceptional cases, and supporting facts exist about five battles. The first naval battle that took place in the Colosseum is considered to be the battle dedicated to the triumph of Caesar in the victorious war of 46 BC. e. In the arena filled with water, real warships (biremes, quadriremes) floated. Real battles took place on their decks. Until now, not all the secrets of water supply to the arena have been studied.

Often real historical battles were reenacted during the naumachia. For example, the battle of Salamis, the defeat of the Athenian flotilla. After the construction of underground tunnels under the arena (during the reign of Domitian), naval battles are not carried out. For such entertainment, it was decided to build playgrounds on natural reservoirs.

Colosseum today

An ancient landmark that Italy, the whole world is proud of, is very popular with tourists. The history of a difficult stage in the life of the planet has not disappeared. For excursions, hikes, all the remaining wreckage was preserved, setting them in their original place. Archaeological excavations opened up access to the Colosseum dungeons, where gladiators were waiting to fight. On the majestic walls, the third tier of the Colosseum, a wooden walkway leading to the audience rows, has been restored.

The arena, the walls are impregnated with a modern water-repellent agent that protects against moisture. Even the remaining ruins of the Colosseum make a memorable impression. Sometimes, services of the Pope of Rome, concerts of famous singers and musicians are held next to them. Actors in the form of gladiators, Roman legionnaires, walk around the walls, inviting for interesting shooting as a keepsake.

Opening hours and ticket prices

To get into the arena area through the ancient entrance, you must purchase an entrance ticket in advance, take part in an organized tour. One entrance ticket costs 12 €. The Colosseum opens at 8:30 am and is open until 6:30 pm. Closing time is determined by the beginning of sunset.

Where is it located and how to get there

The famous landmark is located in the central part of Rome. Surrounded by three hills (Celievsky, Palatine, Esquiline). Now, on the site of the palace of Nero, there is a section of the street of the Imperial Forums, passing next to the Capitoline Hill, the Roman Forum. At its end is the Colosseum. You can come to this place by buses of routes 850, 810, 186, 85, 75, 60. By tram number 3, taxi. Not far from the attraction is the stop of the blue metro line “Colloseo”.