2026 Italy Trip

Rome – The Colosseum

Thursday 28th May 2026

Italian Adventure Day 2 at the Colosseum

The Colosseum is the largest standing amphitheatre in the world. Construction commenced 72 years after the birth of Christ and the earliest building was completed 8 years later, with modifications extending for another 16 years. It is built of travertine limestone, marble and bricks and depending on the entertainment the average size of the audience was around 65,000 spectators. Unlike the stadiums of today, entrance was free (even for slaves) and entertainment was provided all day long. Men and women were seated separately, although this rule did not apply to the Emperor and his family.

Hollywood has a lot to answer for when it the comes to the portrayal of gladiators fighting each other to their death. In fact, gladiators were prized sportsman who spent years training at special gladiator schools with the sole purpose of fighting in the arena. There were 4 of these schools located just outside the colosseum and each gladiator was trained in the art of fighting, specializing in one weapon e.g. sword, axe, trident, etc. As with our well-paid footballers of today the sport depended on them remaining fighting fit, so if one of them did incur injury or death, the Emperor was responsible for paying a huge sum of money to the school as compensation. Despite popular myth gladiators did not fight animals.

When it came to animals fighting in the Colosseum they were pitted either against other exotic animals or criminals on death row, who may be fortunate to survive and be granted their freedom. The animals spent the preceding days, before the fight, in the cages below the arena floor. During this time, they were not fed or watered so upon release into the arena they came out fighting. These animals included lions, tigers, leopards, elephants, hippos, bears and crocodiles.

The Colosseum and the adjoining Roman Forum are spread across 11 acres. The Roman Forum was a marketplace and also the site of several temples and triumphant arches. These arches were built to celebrate victorious armies who returned to Rome with the plunders of war.