40 Interesting facts about The Roman Colosseum
Located just east of the Roman Forum, the Roman Colosseum is considered one of the fascinating wonders of the ancient world. It was commissioned around A.D. 70-72 by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty as a gift to the Roman people. These list of The Roman Colosseum Facts will blow your mind, enjoy.
1. The Colosseum is also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre.
2. The Colosseum was built in an elliptical shape.
3. The Colosseum was selected as one of the 7 wonders in 2007.
4. It was built on a former lake.
5. It was built between 72 A.D and 80 A.D.
6. The Roman Colosseum is located in the center of the city of Rome, Italy.
7. The Colosseum’s wall height is 157 feet and the perimeter is 1788 feet.
8. 1.1 million tons of concrete was used along with stones, and bricks to complete the Colosseum.
9. The Roman Colosseum is the World’s largest amphitheater.
10. The Colosseum has over 80 entrances arches.
11. Roman Colosseum is one of the most popular Roman tourist attractions.
12. The Romans Colosseum could accommodate around 87,000 people.
13. Around 200 bullock carts were used to transport marbles for the construction of the Colosseum.
14. The Colosseum only hosted gladiator duels to entertaining audiences in the Roman Republic.
15. Approximately 100,000 cubic meters marbles were used for the construction of the theater.
16. The Colosseum was built by Emperor Vespasian during the Flavian dynasty.
17. The Colosseum is the second-most visited monument in Italy.
18. The Velarium covered one-third of the Colosseum.
19. Water could be diverted into the Colosseum to provide viewers mock sea battles complete with replica boats and weaponry.
20. Games played in the Colosseum have taken the breaths of 500,000 people and over a million wild animals.
21. Approximately 4.2 million tourists visit the Colosseum per year.
22. Thumbs up was actually a sign to put the Gladiator to death via jugular.
23. The last recorded games were held in it in the 6th century.
24. The image of the Colosseum can be seen in Italy’s five-cent euro coin.
25. Colosseum still embraces close relations with the Roman Catholic Church.
26. The Pope leads a torchlit “Way of the Cross” procession to the amphitheater on every Friday.
27. In 847, a massive earthquake destroyed the southern side of the Colosseum.
28. In 80AD Titus held 100 day games to celebrate the Colosseum opening.
29. For botanists, the Colosseum is a popular destination.
30. Some of the Colosseum fallen pieces were used to build the St Peter’s Basilica.
31. Around 60,000 Jewish slaves worked to build the Colosseum.
32. The great amphitheater covers an area of 6 acres.
33. The Colosseum was designed as a gift to people of Rome.
34. The massive Flavian Amphitheater took less than 10 years to build.
35. Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel and Elton John have all performed concerts at the Colosseum.
36. The director of ‘Gladiator’ thought the Colosseum in Rome was too small – so he built another one in Malta.
37. The best seat in the house belonged to the emperor who sat in the Emperor’s Box which provided the best view of the arena.
38. During the reign of Titus, there was a sea battle inside the Colosseum, in 80 A.D.
39. The Tickets to the Colosseum were completely free to the Ancient Romans.
