Colosseum

Overview

The Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre) is simply the ultimate icon of Imperial Rome. It remains the largest ancient amphitheater ever built, an absolute masterpiece of ancient Roman engineering, and the brutal epicenter of bloody gladiatorial combat.

Highlights

• The Arena Floor: Looking straight down into the exposed, highly complex labyrinth of underground tunnels and beast cages (the hypogeum) where the intricate mechanics of the horrific games were staged.
• The Scale: Walking around the massive inner circumference of the massive ellipses, looking up at the towering, tiered seating capable of holding 50,000 roaring spectators.
• Arch of Constantine: The massive, spectacularly preserved, highly intricate triumphal arch sitting immediately outside the arena.

History

Commissioned in 72 AD by Emperor Vespasian, it was a brilliant, massive political gesture specifically designed to win back the public favor after the brutal reign of Nero. Built largely by Jewish slaves using the spoils from the horrific Siege of Jerusalem, it hosted unbelievably lavish, deeply bloody public spectacles, including terrifying gladiatorial combat, exotic animal hunts, and completely staged sea battles. By the medieval period, it had devolved into a massive, abandoned stone quarry for the Popes.

Visitor Tips

• Tickets: It is the most visited, heavily besieged monument in Italy. You absolutely MUST book a timed entry ticket deeply in advance; there essentially are no walk-up ticket options.
• The Hypogeum: Book the slightly more expensive "Underground Tour" to physically walk down into the highly restricted tunnels beneath the arena floor.