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Things to do in Colosseum
Gladiators tended to be criminals, prisoners of war or slaves who were trained to fight in professional schools. As their fame increased, some men even volunteered for the job. Trained gladiators would often fight unskilled criminals and slaves as a form of public execution, though winning a fight against a gladiator could earn a slave his freedom.
Archaeological remains show that gladiators were often overweight, perhaps in order to build a layer of protective fat. They tended to eat a vegetarian diet of fresh vegetables, dried fruit, barley and beans to grow strong bones that would heal quickly.
Gladiators would fight barefoot in pairs for around ten minutes while the audience chanted like modern football crowds. A common chant was "habet, hoc habet” (he’s had it!). A defeated gladiator would raise a finger (if he had any left) and might be pardoned by the games’ sponsor.
In 107AD, the emperor Trajan celebrated a victory with a show that included 5000 pairs of gladiators – the largest contest known to history.
Opening times
- 8.30am-7.15pm – 30 March-31 August
- 8.30am-7.00pm – 1-30 September
- 8.30am-6.30pm – 1-30 October
- 8.30am-4.30pm – 31 October-15 February
- 8.30am-5.00pm – 16 February-15 March
Ticket office closes one hour before closing time
About the Colosseum
This massive 50,000-capacity amphitheatre was inaugurated in 80AD with games that lasted 100 days and cost the lives of over 5000 animals. Entrance was free back then, though ‘tickets’ written on pieces of pottery were handed out with seat numbers, presumably to control numbers. The poor, and women, sat on the upper tiers, while senators and equestrians had seats closer to the action (protected from flying weapons and body parts by a net).
Entertainments varied. Some featured animal on animal, others were people fighting animals, and others were people fighting people – usually gladiators, but sometimes slaves/prisoners.
Gladiators probably did not fight to the death because they were valuable and popular commodities, though death was naturally an occupational hazard.
Today, the vast Colosseum easily swallows the thousands who visit, though it’s advisable to buy tickets in advance if you want to skip lines. There’s little to actually ‘do’ once inside other than look at the spectacle, though you can maximise your visit by booking special tickets with privileged access to the hypogeum or the upper levels. It’s also advisable to arrange a local or audio guide if Roman history isn’t your subject.
Tickets to the Colosseum often include access to the Forum and Palatine Hill and can be valid for two days, so it makes sense to plan your time wisely. Arrive early for the busiest places and enjoy the Palatine Hill at your leisure in the afternoon when the tourist hordes are elsewhere. Even with advance skip-the-line tickets and German-level planning, you may still discover that organisation at these venues is not entirely like clockwork, so be flexible.
Address
Piazza del Colosseo, Rome
Getting there
- By Metro
- MEB, MEB1: Colosseo
- By Bus
- 51, 75, 85, 87, 117,118, N2
Our recommendations in Colosseum
Colosseum & Roman Forum small-group tour with skip-the-line tickets & local guide
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Discover the beauty of Rome in just 72 hours with the Rome Pass card. Take advantage of special reductions and discounts in Italy's stunning capital.
Colosseum & Roman Forum small-group tour with skip-the-line tickets & local guide
Book now for an unforgettable small-group experience to discover the Colosseum and Roman Forum with skip-the-line tickets and a local expert guide!
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Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill tour
Book your experience the best of ancient Rome with skip-the-line tickets and an expert local guide to the Colosseum, Roman Form and Palatine Hill.
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One of the best ways to see Rome is on foot with an expert guide to show you around. Discover the main sites and immerse yourself in the legends of the city.
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Discover the beauty of Rome in just 72 hours with the Rome Pass card. Take advantage of special reductions and discounts in Italy's stunning capital.
Colosseum & arena floor private tour with local expert guide
Don't miss the chance to enjoy a private tour with access to the Colosseum's arena floor by the Gladiator's entrance.
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Private tour of Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with local expert guide
Explore the Colosseum, visit the Roman Forum archeological site, walk up the Palatine Hill, one of the most ancient areas of Rome, and look down at Circus Maximus.
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Colosseum and Roman Forum Semi-Private Guided Tour
Book a tour of ancient Rome and follow in the footsteps of the Roman emperors with entrance to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
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Discover the Colosseum through this augment reality tour.
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Colosseum Semi-Private Tour with Arena Floor, Forum and Palatine Hill
Take a trip back in time to ancient Rome on this small group tour of the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill!
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How to get there
Colosseum
Rome
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Reviews Colosseum
“On the whole it was good, however the guide was very hard to understand so was hard to follow everything he was saying.”
“The travel was nice we really enjoyed Rome but the hotel was really disappointing we choose this one for the rooftop and we arrived there the rooftop was not possible to access also the room was very dirty plus no shower gel no shampoo as well.. the toilet was broken plus the electric cable was all appearing.. when tell the reception about it.. they said they will work on it but when back at the end off the day the room was the same.. have to tell them again and at the end they didn't do anythin”
“I would not recommend this tour, because the guide had very broken English & hard to follow.”
“We could not have asked for more!!! Our guide was was magic and made our experience a once in a lifetime event!!!”