The Flavian Amphitheatre and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

The Amphitheatrum Flavium, now known as the Colosseum, was built in the first century AD as a gift to the Roman citizens, by the Flavian emperors: begun by Vespasian in AD 72, continued by Titus, and completed by Domitian. The site had previously been an artificial lake in the park of Nero's residence, the Domus Aurea. The Colosseum is considered an architectural and engineering marvel, and remains as a standing proof of both the grandeur and the cruelty of the Roman world.
It was used for hunts and gladitorial games - capable of seating at least 50,000 people, the emperor and senators used the first level of seating, where family names are still carved today, while above them were other aristocrats who were not members of the senate. A third level held seats for other citizens (the wealthier they were the lower the seats), and a wooden structure at the very top was standing room for poor women.
Underneath the arena floor, which no longer exists, was a two-level subterranean network of tunnels and cages where gladiators and animals were held before contests began. Numerous trap doors in the floor provided instant access to the arena for caged animals and scenery pieces concealed underneath.

There are numerous legends surrounding the building, including the following:
"As long as the Colosseum stands, so shall Rome;
When the Colosseum falls, so shall Rome;
When Rome falls, so shall the world".

It's best to get there early, as with most sights; we got there at about 9.30am, and the queue was only just outside the building - by the time we came out, it was almost to the Arch of Constantine! The ticket to enter costs 11 euros and also gives access to the Palatine.

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The Ludus Magnus was a training ground of the gladiators, complete with its own miniature amphitheatre, situated to the east of the Colosseum and connected to the arena by a tunnel.

You can peer down into this area from the street.

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Address: Via Labicana

This Arch, standing prominently next to the Colosseum, is a triumphal arch, erected c. 315 CE to commemorate the triumph of Constantine I after his victory over Maxentius in the battle at the Milvian Bridge in 312 CE.

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The Sacred Way, the oldest street in Rome, ran through the Roman Forum from the Arch of Titus up to the Capitoline. Triumphal processions of victorious generals in horse-drawn chariots parading their prisoners and spoils of war, and followed by their soldiers, would pass along the street to the temple of Jupiter on the Capitol, where they would make sacrifices.

This is the best way to get from the Colosseum to the Palatine and Roman Forum, it gives you a real sense of walking where the ancient Romans walked.

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The Arch of Titus is a triumphal arch commemorating the victory of the emperors Vespasian and Titus in Judea in 70 AD and the triumphal procession they held in Rome in 71 AD. It is situated at the east entrance to the Forum Romanum, on the Via Sacra south of the Temple of Amor and Roma, and is close to the Colosseum.

The arch must have been erected sometimes after the death of Titus in 81 AD, as Titus is referred to as 'Divus' in the inscription. The deification of an emperor only happened posthumously after decision by the senate. It was probably erected by emperor Domitian who succeeded his brother Titus in 81 AD, but may have been built later by Trajan.

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Address: Via Sacra

From the Arch of Titus, the road leads up to the Palatine Hill, where the imperial rulers of Rome lived in luxury. Follow the paths and steps up to the Farnese Gardens, which were pleasure gardens laid out in the 16th century for Cardinal Farnese over the ruins of the Palace of Tiberius.

From what I have read, scholars aren't certain what the name of the hill means - it may derive from 'palus' (marsh or swamp, apparently quite descriptive of the area of the Forum Romanum before it was drained), or it may stem from 'pales', an old pastoral deity. Later, the word 'palatium' was associated as much with the imperial palaces as with the hill, and this eventually became the word 'palace'.

One of the lovely things about the Palatine is that it is a park where you can wander in any direction you please. On the other hand, it is a large park without signposts, and very few labels, so it could be very confusing for the first-time visitor to know exactly what they are looking at. I advise you to have a map handy!

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Underneath the gardens is a long tunnel which may have been a secret route to other parts of the palatine. It is often attributed to Nero, but part may be earlier, part of the Domus Tiberiana, as it is thought that this was the site of the murder of Emperor Caligula in AD41.

It's a lovely cool spot, it would be nice to linger there on a hot day.

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The largest standing ruin is labelled as being the House of Augustus (Domus Augustana), although I'm sure my Oxford Archaeological Guide says it's Domitian's Palace. It seems possible that the House of Augustus and the House of Livia were both incorporated into the Flavian emperor's residence.

The best preserved remains are in the lower stories - closed to the public of course - but an impressive amount can be seen from the top. My photos show one of the inner courtyards, and the stadium - originally a great sunken garden, which contains a later elliptical structure which is apparently the arena of a private amphitheatre.

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The story goes that the temple was founded on a part of the site which Octavian (Augustus) had bought intending to extend his own house, but which was then struck by lightning, an omen that the space was to be used for religious purposes. Octavian had vowed a temple to Apollo at the battle of Naulochos in 36BC, and it was built here and dedicated in 28BC

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Beyond the gardens, in the south-west corner of the hill, excavations have revealed the oldest traces of a settlement in the city (8th century BC). The floors and post-holes of iron age huts are cut into the bedrock - the largest hut plan measures 5 by 3.5m, a slightly oval rectangle.

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