Rome: Colosseum, Arena, Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour – Rome, Italy

EXPERIENCE:

In 72 AD, construction for what would later be known as the world’s greatest amphitheater began during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and was completed by his son and successor, Titus, in 80AD. Further modifications were later made during the reign of Domitian (81-96AD).

The inauguration games were held to celebrate the completion of the Flavian Amphitheatre and lasted over a hundred consecutive days of lavish games and all forms of entertainment, the most popular were the gladiator games. On occasions, the emperor would enjoy pulling pranks on the gladiators by using the trap door system to surprise them with a less than ferocious animal, such as a chicken!

The arena floor (Arena means sand in Latin) is where all the action took place. It was made of wood and covered with a layer of sand to absorb the blood that was shed by the gladiators, animals and criminals. After centuries of usage, the floor was removed in the 6th century, announcing the end of the gladiator battles. In the 1990s, a section of the arena floor was reconstructed, giving visitors a better idea of what the Colosseum must have looked like.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Enter the Colosseum through the Gate of Death
Walk on the reconstructed arena floor of the Colosseum
Get up and close to the reconstructed trap door system and Hypogeum

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