Colosseum Facts

15 Interesting facts about the Roman Colosseum

1. The Colosseum is a huge open auditorium or amphitheater in the center of Rome, Italy.
2. It was built by Emperor Vespasian for his successor, Titus.
3. The word amphitheater is derived from the Greek word ‘ampi’ (open from both sides) and ‘theatron’ (public place of viewing).
4. The name Colosseum is said to be derived from the giant statue of Nero called ‘The Colossus of Nero’ which earlier stood before the stadium.
5. The Colosseum is an egg-shaped building that is about 620 feet long, 512 feet wide and 158 feet tall.
6. It covers a vast expanse of 6 acres.
7. More than 1.1 million tonnes of concrete, stone and bricks were used to erect this massive structure.
8. It has about 80 entrances and is large enough to accommodate 50,000 spectators.
9. In 847, the southern wall of the Colosseum collapsed because of an earthquake.
10. The Romans used the Colosseum for gladiator duels and public spectacles such as animal hunts, mock sea battles, re-enactments of famous battles, executions and dramas.
11. Certain classes of people like former gladiators and gravediggers were not permitted to enter the Colosseum.
12. The west exit was called the Gate of Death. This was where dead gladiators were carried out of the arena.
13. Historical data suggests that the games played in the Colosseum for hundreds of years have claimed the lives of about 500,000 people and more than a million wild animals.
14. The gladiatorial fights stopped in 435 CE and the animal hunts by the beginning of 23 CE.
15. Several popular singers like Elton John, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney and Ray Charles have performed at the Colosseum.