Why was the Colosseum built?Īfter the great fire of 64 AD, in which a substantial portion of the city burned, Emperor Nero ordered the construction of a magnificent palace for himself in the area that had been devastated. How old is the Colosseum?Ĭonstruction of the Colosseum was completed in the year 80 AD, making the building 1,937 years old. They were transported back to Rome and it is estimated that 60,000 to 100,000 were employed in the construction of the Colosseum. How many people participated in its construction?Īfter gaining victory in the first Jewish-Roman war, the Jewish Temple of Jerusalem was sacked and many of the province’s inhabitants were made slaves. The actual building was done largely by Jewish slaves, overseen by Roman engineers and craftsmen. Construction was finished under his two sons, Emperors Titus and Domitian. The Colosseum was started under Emperor Vespasian, but he died before it was completed.
If you’re visiting soon and want to impress your friends and family here you’ll find many interesting Roman Colosseum facts.Ĭonstruction of the Colosseum began in 72AD, and it was completed in 80AD. The arena once witnessed bloody gladiator battles, epic hunts pitting humans against wild animals, and gruesome executions of prisoners of war and criminals. With nearly two thousand years of history, there is much to know about the Roman Colosseum.
