The Colosseum is one of the oldest and most famous landmarks in Rome. It has a fascinating history so we’ve put together the best Colosseum Facts. Check out the Colosseum Facts below, and let us know what you think! If you’re interested in learning more, come on our tour of the Colosseum!
Colosseum Fact # 1: The Colosseum was built in only 9 years. Began in 72AD and completed in 81AD. We struggle to build stadiums today in 9 years!
Colosseum Fact #2: The Colosseum was built by 60,000 Jewish slaves.
Colosseum Fact #3: The real name of the Colosseum is the Flavian Amphithetre, built by the Emperor Vaspasian Flavian. The Colosseum is only a nick name given to the stadium after a statue of Nero called “the colossus of Nero” which stood along side the stadium.
Colosseum Fact # 4: Over 400,000 people died in the Colosseum in the 390 years it was open for entertainment.
Colosseum Fact # 5: The Colosseum was opened for free to the Anient Romans. They were also fed when they attended events there. The famous saying was “free bread and circus to the people of Rome”.
Colosseum Fact # 6: Festivals and games held at the Colosseum could last 100 days!
Colosseum Fact # 7: Unbelievably, if it ever rained during a festival in the Colosseum the Ancient Romans would cover over the Colosseum with red stretched out canvas. It was roped down in 64 rows from the outside of the Colosseum.
Colosseum Fact # 8: Unbelievably the Ancient Romans would flood the Colosseum and have miniature ship and navel battles inside the Colosseum.
Colosseum Fact # 9: In the dark ages a number of fruit trees grew up through the Colosseum and for a long time no one could figure out why. But “free bread and circus” meant that people were either spitting out there seeds or throwing in their fruit.
Colosseum Fact # 10: 55,000 people could be seated inside the Colosseum. All 55,000 people could be seated in only 20 minutes. This was due to the fact that 84 entrances were open to the public, where your entrance was in direct line to your seat.
To learn more on your trip to Rome you should join our Colosseum tour. We avoid all lines on this 2 hour tour. You can also see our 5 star revies on tripadvisor.