How old is colosseum

No trip to Rome is complete without marveling at the Colosseum. But just getting close to this wonder of the world is not enough for those who want to hear its stories and secrets. We all know the Colosseum is very old, but how old is very old? Well, its foundations were laid way back in 72 AD, and the construction was completed in just eight years under the watchful gaze of emperors Vespasian and Titus. You can imagine him watching gladiatorial battles in the Colosseum while enjoying a glass of wine or two.

Yet, while the Colosseum and Julius Caesar are two icons of Rome, the infamous Emperor never set foot inside the great arena. As you now know, the Colosseum was finished in 80 AD while Julius Caesar was assassinated almost years before the first games even happened. The majority of gladiators, who were called the Kings of Entertainment, were slaves or former prisoners. It was pretty unusual to put it mildly! Known for his philosophical interests, Marcus Aurelius was one of the most respected emperors in Roman history.

He was born into a wealthy and politically prominent family. Growing up, Marcus Aurelius was a dedicated student, learning Latin and Greek. But his greatest Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. Recommended for you. Coroner's Report: Pompeii. Games in the Colosseum. The Visigoths Sack Rome. Julius Caesar Julius Caesar was a renowned general, politician and scholar in ancient Rome who conquered the vast region of Gaul and helped initiate the end of the Roman Republic when he became dictator of the Roman Empire.

Marcus Tullius Cicero Greek philosophy and rhetoric moved fully into Latin for the first time in the speeches, letters and dialogues of Cicero B. People from all parts of the Roman Empire would flock to the Colosseum to witness the spectacles and events held there.

Among the most popular of these were the gladiatorial contests, which were bloody armed combats. People were entertained by other spectacles such as; mock sea battles, execution, reenactments of famous battles, and animal hunts. The Colosseum entertained the people of Rome for a long time. However, by the 4th century, the Colosseum was in decline, as the Western Roman Empire itself was facing problems, and by the early medieval era, entertainment activities were no longer being held at the structure.

Not officially, but in practice they might as well have been. They were member of the infame class, and upon becoming gladiators whether by choice or as punishment for a crime they were stripped of all their rights and became property of their owners, their lives forfeit. The exact date is unknown, but the last records of gladiator battles date from the year The Colosseum was still used for hunts after the gladiator battles ceased, these went on for another century approximately. Rather, cost was the determining factor.

The Colosseum was in a state of decay by the 5th century, the Roman Empire was in steep decline, and the resources needed to maintain the building, pay for gladiators, and provide wild animals were hard to come by. The Colosseum has experienced large fires at least three times throughout its history , and suffered from at least 4 earthquakes. These events seriously damaged the building and it has been repaired and rebuilt many times over the two millennia it has existed.

After ceasing to be used as an arena for combat and hunts, at different points in history the Colosseum has been used as a cemetery, a place of worship, for housing, workshops for artisans and merchants, the home of a religious order, a fortified castle, and most recently as a tourist attraction.

The Colosseum receives over 4 million visitors every year. The Colosseum is the most popular attraction in Italy and one of the most popular in the world.