Roman Colosseum (Concept and Definition)

What is the Roman Colosseum?

The Roman Colosseum is an amphitheater built between 70 and 80 AD, located in the city of Rome, Italy. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980 and was chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007.

The function of the Colosseum was to entertain the people of Rome. Gladiator fights, executions, naval battles (naumachia or naumaquia), animal hunting (Venetian), mythological scenes, etc.

The Roman Colosseum was the largest amphitheater of its time and remains the most representative example of ancient Roman architecture. In addition, it is the one that is in the best state of conservation.

roman colosseum

Its original name was Flavian Amphitheater (Flavium Amphitheater) in honor of the Flavian dynasty that built it. In Greek, colossi means large statue. Although the name of the Roman Colosseum is thought to derive from the Colossus of Nero, a thirty meter tall statue adjacent to the building, it is more likely that the amphitheater was named for its size.

Next, let’s learn more about the history of the Colosseum, its features, and its interior and exterior architecture.

History of the Colosseum

roman colosseum

Construction of the Roman Colosseum began around AD 70 or 72, by order of Vespasian, the first emperor of the Flavian dynasty. It was a gift from the emperor to the people to gain their support.

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The amphitheater would fill the void left by the so-called Champ de Mars amphitheater, burnt down during the fire of Rome in the year 64. This had been replaced by works for private use by Nero, such as the artificial lagoon . Stagnum Neronishis Palace and the Colossus of Nero.

Vespasian had the Colosseum built on the artificial lagoon and buried most of the Palace. Only the Colossus remained standing. Completion of the project was left to his son and successor, Emperor Titus, who completed the final level.

The inauguration of the Colosseum took place in the year 80, and was celebrated for a hundred days. Since then, many shows have taken place in this enclosure, in which people and animals died for mere entertainment.

roman colosseum

Left: Roman mosaic with scenes of different competitions (gladiators, animal hunting or ribs, etc.). Right, top: chariot race. Bottom right: naval battle at the Colosseum (naumachia).

When Domitian came to power, he increased the capacity of the Colosseum by including an additional gallery in the upper part. Domitian also built the underground area where gladiators and animals were held captive, called the Hypogeum.

Over the following centuries, the Colosseum suffered damage from fires and earthquakes which led to restorations ordered by Theodosius II and Valentinian III in the 5th century. Although the last gladiatorial combat took place in 435, the competitions and animal hunting lasted until the sixth century. .

In the Middle Ages, the Colosseum ceased to be a center of entertainment. Over the centuries it has housed factories, shelters and even a religious order. Later it passed into the hands of the nobles, who used it as a fortress.

In modern times, already partially destroyed by earthquakes, it served as a quarry for other constructions. Looting of its materials stopped when it was named a sanctuary of Christendom in the 18th century. In the 20th century, the Colosseum suffered damage caused during the Second World War.

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Features of the Roman Colosseum

Website type: flat ground.
Plant type: oval.
Surface: 24,000 m².
Basic sizes: 187.75 × 155.60m.
Arena length: 86×54m.
Perimeter: 524m
Current height: 48.5m
Aptitude: approximately 65,000 spectators.
Main construction elements: semicircular arches, barrel vaults (formed by the succession of semicircular arches), cross vaults (formed by the crossing of two barrel vaults), columns and pillars.
Materials: travertine, marble and other rocks; brick, wood, concrete and stucco.

Architecture of the Roman Colosseum

roman colosseum

1) Inside the Colosseum. Note the design of the oval plane. 2) Round arch. 3) Barrel vault. 4) Groin vault.

The architectural design of the Roman Colosseum was conceived as an entertainment complex facilitating the presentation of large mass performances. For this, the development of a specialized internal and external structure was necessary.

The great architectural innovation of the Roman Colosseum was the following: to be the first amphitheater built on flat ground and not on the slope of a hill, as was done in the past to support the bleachers.

This is due to the use of the semicircular arch, a characteristic feature of Roman architecture. With this, barrel vaults and groin vaults could be formed, which distributed the weight to the piers and columns.

Exterior of the Roman Colosseum

Facade: it takes shape thanks to the overlapping of eighty round arches, supported by pilasters and columns. These serve as a support for the entablature, the purpose of which is decorative.

roman colosseum

1) First floor, Doric order. 2) Second stage, Ionic order. 3) Third floor, Corinthian order. 4) White wall with openings.

First floor: decorated with variants of the Doric order.
Second floor: Ionic order.
Third floor: Semi-Corinthian columns.
Fourth floor: blind wall, intended to give height and support wake.

Candlestick: folding canvas roof (canopy) which protected against bad weather. It was supported by a system of pulleys and ropes.

Inside the Roman Colosseum

roman colosseum

Interior of the Roman Colosseum: you can see the hypogeum, part of the arena and the cavea.