A Brief Guide to Make Colosseum Tour More Enjoyable

Are you planning for a Colosseum tour with friends? Then the following guide provides you a brief idea regarding the history and architecture of this legendary Roman beauty –

History

 

Colosseum is the legendary gladiatorial arena in Rome that is one of the most thrilling attractions of the city. The Colosseum is also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre and was built around 70 AD by the Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty. During the AD 80, Titus the son of Emperor Vespasian opened the Colosseum for the public for gladiatorial and wild animal fights. In its prime time, this giant arena which has 50,000 seats was coated in travertine and covered with a giant canvas held in the air using 240 posts. It is a freestanding arena with four floors that rise 45 meters high and stretch over 189 meters long and 156 meters wide.

 

Architecture

 

Outside of the Colosseum

 

The one of a kind façade of the Colosseum comprises of three levels of arched entrances that are supported by columns. Each of the floors has columns arranged in different order. The bottom floor is decorated in a simple Doric order whereas the second floor is slightly more elegant Ionic order and the third floor is the most ornamental with a Corinthian order.

This massive amphitheater had eighty entrances. Out of those eighty entrances, seventy-six were numbered and ticketed that enabled thousands of spectators to be seated in few minutes. Also, out of the rest four openings, two were exclusively dedicated to the emperor and the rest two for the gladiators. One of the gladiator gates was named after the Roman goddess of death, i.e., Porta Libitina as through this door the dead were removed from the arena. Also, the other door was Porta Sanivivaria through which the winners of the battles and the survivor used to leave the arena.

Inside of the Colosseum

 

Interior of the Colosseum comprised of three main parts, i.e., the arena, caves, and podium. The Colosseum was able to accommodate 50,000 spectators, and the arena had a wooden floor which was covered with sand before each battle. The purpose of covering the floor with sand was to prevent the gladiators from slipping as well as soak up their blood. There were special trapdoors that led down to the underground rooms and hallways beneath the floor of the arena.

Cavea or the spectator seating had three main tiers. The lowest tier was meant for the magistrates and senior officials whereas the middle tier was dedicated to the wealthy citizens and the top tier was for the commoners.

And for the emperors, senators and other famous people, there was the podium which was a broad terrace in front of the tiers of seats.

 

Now that you have got the basic idea about the history and architecture of the Colosseum, it is time for some tips to make your Colosseum tour more enjoyable and hassle-free. First of all, you will have to rise early to avoid afternoon crowds and to have enough time to enjoy your tour, secondly avoid touring in summer months as these are the hottest and busiest time of the year and thirdly, carry water and wear comfortable shoes as you have to do much walking.

 

Conclusion:

 

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