Museo: Colosseo

Welcome to the Colosseum: Arena of the Gladiators

Hello explorers! You now stand before Rome’s most famous monument, the Colosseum. Its true name is the Flavian Amphitheatre, yet everyone calls it the Colosseum because there once stood a gigantic statue nearby known as the Colossus of Nero – almost as tall as a ten‐story building. Imagine this: this enormous structure was built nearly two thousand years ago during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and was completed by his son, Titus, at a time when there were no cranes, trucks, or computers. Still, it could accommodate up to fifty thousand spectators, much like a modern football stadium! Long ago, within its walls, incredible spectacles unfolded as brave gladiators battled one another and fierce animals were brought from faraway lands. You might be amazed to know that for the inauguration of the Colosseum in the year eighty AD, Emperor Titus organised celebrations that lasted a full one hundred days! Over time, the Colosseum has withstood earthquakes, fires, and even the theft of its materials. Take a close look at the holes in the stone; these marks were left when people stole the metal clamps that held the marble blocks together. Despite everything, this magnificent stone giant is still standing, ready to share its ancient stories from Rome with us. Are you ready to embark on this adventure and discover all the secrets of the Colosseum?

Discover the Façade of the Colosseum

Here we stand in front of the majestic facade of the Colosseum! Did you know that this imposing curved facade you see was similar to a giant layer cake? And it was built in just 10 years… a real record, even by today's standards. Try counting how many arches you can see! At one time, there were as many as 80 just on the ground floor. Each arch had a number, just like the seating in a modern cinema, so everyone knew exactly which entrance to use. If you look closely, you'll notice that each level of the Colosseum is different: the Romans used different architectural styles for each level. It starts from the bottom with simple columns in the Doric style, then moves to slightly more decorated columns in the Ionic style, and then to even more elegant ones in the Corinthian style, and finally the fanciful ones in the Composite style, which adorned the top floor. This was a way to represent the order of Roman society, with the wealthiest positioned at the top of the social pyramid. Now, look upward: do you see those empty spaces between the arches? Once, they housed magnificent statues that made the Colosseum even more imposing. And consider this: some archaeologists have discovered that the Colosseum appeared white on the outside thanks to the marble covering its facade, while inside it shone with an intense red due to the frescoes and decorations that adorned it. So, how many arches did you manage to count? Can you imagine this gigantic stadium, teeming with statues and cheering spectators?

Tickets of Ancient Rome

Hey little explorers! Did you know that even the ancient Romans needed a ticket to enter the Colosseum? That's right! But they weren't like the paper ones we have today. Imagine small tokens made of bone, ivory, or terracotta, about the size of a coin, with numbers engraved on them. Each token had a number etched on it that corresponded to a sector, a row, and a seat. Just like at the cinema! The great thing is that these tickets were free for Roman citizens! Public shows, called "munera" (gladiator fights) and "venationes" (hunts with wild animals), were offered free of charge by emperors or wealthy citizens to gain popularity. Seats were assigned based on social class: senators sat in the front rows, knights behind them, and then common citizens. Women (except for the Vestal Virgins) and children sat at the top, in the last section called the "summum maenianum in ligneis." At the entrance, there were assistants called "designatores" who checked the tickets and helped people find their seats. Now, looking at those ancient ticket offices, close your eyes and imagine thousands of Romans in line, excited, with their small tokens in hand, ready to enjoy a day of incredible shows. Just like you today!

The Triumphal Entry of the Emperor

Here we are at the most important entrance of the entire Colosseum: the Porta Triumphalis! It was exclusively reserved for the emperor and his court. When the emperor arrived, he was announced by the "tubae" (long bronze trumpets), and everyone present would stand in respect. He wore the "purpurea" toga (dark violet or purple), a color reserved for emperors, and often a laurel crown on his head. The emperor would proceed to the "pulvinar," the imperial platform, walking across an elevated walkway. This path allowed him to be seen by everyone while also being protected from the crowd. During the games, the emperor played an active role: he gave the signal to start the spectacles, awarded the winners, and, in gladiator combats, could decide the life or death of a defeated fighter. Emperor Domitian had an underground passage constructed, linking the Colosseum to the Imperial Palace on the Palatine Hill. This way, he could reach the amphitheater without having to cross the crowded streets!

Games and Emperors: The Grandeur of Roman Spectacles

Hello, little explorers! Have you ever wondered why the Roman emperors loved organizing shows at the Colosseum so much? Well, let me tell you a secret. The emperors didn't organize these spectacles just because they loved to entertain themselves! It was actually a clever way to keep all the Roman citizens happy. Do you know how? With panem et circenses - which means bread and circuses! Imagine: Emperor Titus, when he inaugurated the Colosseum in 80 A.D., organized games that lasted 100 days! And Emperor Trajan, after conquering Dacia (present-day Romania), celebrated with games that lasted 123 days with 11,000 animals and 10,000 gladiators! The emperors would sit in the best seat, called the pulvinar, and from there they would decide who lived and who died with a simple gesture of the thumb. Every time the emperor entered the amphitheater, he was announced with trumpets and everyone would stand up to greet him. It was the most important moment of the show! Remember: the emperors knew that a populace distracted by games and with full bellies had no time to complain or rebel. Clever, right?

Gladiators: Heroes of the Arena

Hello little explorers! Did you know that gladiators were the true superstars of ancient Rome? Their name comes from "gladius," the Roman short sword they used for fighting. But who were these arena heroes really? Initially, they were mainly prisoners of war, condemned criminals, or slaves. However, over time, even some free men chose this career for fame and wealth! Gladiators lived in special schools called "ludi," where they trained rigorously under the guidance of a "lanista," a true instructor. They practiced for hours with heavy wooden weapons, so when they used the real ones, they felt as light as feathers. During the shows, gladiators entered the arena with a grand parade called pompa. The crowd went wild! There were various types of gladiators: the retiarius fought with a net and trident like a fisherman, while the secutor had a smooth helmet and a rectangular shield! The fights didn't always end badly! Often the gladiators stopped when one was exhausted, and the emperor or the crowd decided to spare them. Moreover, the most famous gladiators lived like true celebrities, with rich rewards for their victories!

The Secrets of the Hypogeum

Guys, now we are about to enter one of the most mysterious and fascinating places of the Colosseum: the hypogeum! It is a complex system of corridors, rooms, and cages beneath the arena floor. Imagine this enormous underground labyrinth as the backstage of a gigantic spectacle! Down here, gladiators would wait for their turn to fight while hearing the crowd's roars above them. These underground galleries were not visible during the games and were constructed by Emperor Domitian after the inauguration of the Colosseum. In this intricate maze of corridors and rooms, there were cages to hold lions, tigers, and other exotic animals from faraway lands. The animals were lifted to the arena through wooden hoists, known as elevators. Hundreds of people worked in the subterranean levels: technicians who operated the machinery, guards, and slaves.

A Monument's Thousand Lives

The Colosseum has had a long and eventful life, full of changes after the end of the gladiatorial games! The last gladiatorial combats were held around 435 AD, while animal hunts continued until 523 AD. Then, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum underwent a complete change in use. In the Middle Ages, believe it or not, it even became a fortress! The powerful Frangipane family transformed it into a castle, complete with walls and towers. From the 1200s until the 1700s, the Colosseum was used as a quarry for materials. Its travertine blocks and metal pins were removed to construct other buildings in Rome, such as Palazzo Venezia and Palazzo Barberini. A part of the Colosseum was even converted into a small church, while other areas housed shops and even residences. In the 1700s, Pope Benedict XIV consecrated the entire amphitheater to the memory of Christian martyrs. It was only in the 19th century that efforts began to protect it as a historical monument. Today, after 2000 years of transformations, the Colosseum has become a global symbol and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Preserving the Colosseum

Here we are at the end of our adventure, little gladiators! You know, the Colosseum you explored today is almost 2,000 years old, but it is still here thanks to special people who take care of it every day. Archaeologists uncover hidden secrets beneath the dust, while restorers patiently work to repair the ravages of time. They use modern but respectful techniques, like lasers that "clean" the marble without damaging it. The Colosseum is so important that in 2007 it was included among the New Seven Wonders of the World! Every year, more than 7 million people from all over the planet visit it. Now you can also become a "Heritage Keeper"! How? By respecting the historical sites you visit, not touching or writing on ancient monuments, and sharing what you learned today with your friends. Remember: every stone of the Colosseum has a story to tell.