HISTORY LESSON: THE ROMAN COLOSSEUM

I have taught the Sports Facilities and Event Management course in the Master of Science in Sports Management at Columbia University School of Professional Studies since 2007. The first assignment for students is “compare and contrast the Roman Colosseum to modern-day stadiums and report on the similarities and differences.”

I thought this history lesson would interest readers since there are so many similarities...

Design:

• It is the largest amphitheater ever built and remains as the largest free-standing amphitheater in the world. Previous amphitheaters were built into the hillsides.
• The dimensions of the elliptical structure are: 615 feet long, 510 feet wide, and 157 feet high.
• The structure was covered in marble and had a retractable awning that could open and close to protect spectators from the elements.
• The wooden floor was covered by sand, covering an elaborate underground structure called: the hypogeum (“underground”). It consisted of a two-level subterranean network of tunnels and cages beneath the arena, where animals were held before contests. Substantial quantities of machinery existed in the hypogeum. Eighty vertical shafts provided elevators and pulleys, which raised and lowered scenery and props and lifted caged animals to the surface for release.
• It could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators at various points in its history.
• It is listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Construction

• Construction began in 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD (modern stadiums take about 30 months to construct).
• The materials used in construction were travertine limestone, tuff (volcanic rock), brick-faced concrete, wood, and tiles.

Multi-purpose use (modern venues are designed to host various events)

• Gladiatorial contests
• Animal hunts (9,000 animals were killed during the inaugural games)
• Reenactment of famous battles
• Mock sea battles
• Dramas based on Roman mythology
• Executions

Seating

• Entrance into the Colosseum was free, but seating was based on class ranking.
• Attendees were seated in a tiered arrangement that reflected Roman society.
• Special boxes were provided at the north and south ends for the Emperor, providing the best views of the venue.
• The senatorial class level was on a broad platform or podium on the same level as the Emperor’s boxes. They were allowed to bring their chairs.
• The non-senatorial noble class or knights occupied the tier above the senators.
• The next level above was initially reserved for ordinary Roman citizens and divided int two sections. The lower section was for wealthy citizens, while the upper section was for poor citizens.
• At the top of the Colosseum was a gallery for the common poor, enslaved and women. It would have been standing room only or a very steep incline with wooden benches.
• Some groups, notably gravediggers, actors, and former gladiators, were banned from the Colosseum.

Ingress/Egress

• The Colosseum’s huge crowd capacity made it essential that the venue could be filled or evacuated quickly. Its architects adopted similar solutions to those designed in modern stadia to deal with rapid ingress and egress.
• The amphitheater had 80 entrances at ground level, 76 of which were used by ordinary spectators.
• The northern main entrance was reserved for the Roman Emperor and his aides.
• The elite were believed to use the other three entrances.
• Spectators were given tickets in numbered pottery shards, which directed them to the appropriate section and row. They accessed their seats via vomitoria passageways that opened into a tier of seats from below or behind. These passageways (vomitories) still exist in modern venues allowing ticket holders to access the seating sections from the concourses.

Food and beverages

• Archaeologists have found that spectators may have enjoyed snacks of olives, fruit, and nuts.
• It is believed that wine and water were the beverages of choice.

I conducted extensive research on floor protection systems and discovered no reference to COVERMASTER® from that era, which is surprising!

I hope you enjoyed this history lesson. I am fascinated by what the Romans achieved in the design, construction, and event management of a venue constructed almost 2,000 years ago and still stands today. If you have not visited the Colosseum, you should!

I wish you a happy, safe, and enjoyable summer.

Posted June 20, 2023