Q: When was the Colosseum built? What year was the Colosseum built in?
A: The Flavian Amphitheatre was built during the reigns of the Emperors Vespasian and his son Titus. The initial building of the Roman Colosseum was completed in 80AD

Q: Where is the Colosseum? Where is the Colosseum located?
A: The Flavian Amphitheatre is located in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy (Address: Piazzale del Colosseo, Rome). The absolute location is 41 degrees latitude and 12 degrees longitude

Q: Who built the Colosseum?
A: The Flavian Amphitheatre was built on the instructions of the Emperor Vespasian. His eldest son, the Emperor Titus, completed the initial building work. The Emperor Domitian, the younger son of Vespasian, built the hypogeum (a series of underground tunnels used to house animals and slaves). Domitian also added a gallery to the top of the Colosseum to increase its seating capacity. Vespasian had a massive work force, having brought back from the Jewish War an estimated 100,000 slaves. Slaves undertook the manual labor and teams of professional Roman builders, engineers and decorators undertook the skilled tasks.

Q: Why was the Colosseum built?
A: The Flavian Amphitheatre was built for several reasons. As a gift to Roman Citizens, increasing the popularity of the Flavian dynasty. Staging various forms of entertainment in a purpose built stone amphitheatre, creating a diversion for unemployed and unruly Plebs. To utilize and showcase the latest Roman engineering techniques demonstrating to the world the power of Rome.

Q: What was the Colosseum used for? What kind of events took place inside the Roman Colosseum?
A: The Flavian Amphitheatre was used for staging various events including gladiator fights, wild animal displays, theatrical entertainment, executions, religious ceremonies, mock sea battles and re-playing famous Roman victories.

Q: How did they get the water inside the Roman Colosseum?
A: The Flavian Amphitheatre was provided with water via the Aqua Claudia aqueduct and distributed through free-flowing canals, lead and terra-cotta pipes to storage reservoirs and then through lead pipes. A waste-water collection system discharged the waste into the drains or sewer system. The main outlet of the initial drainage system (Cloaca Maxima) was the Tiber River.

Q: How was the Colosseum built?
A: The Flavian Amphitheatre was built of travertine on the outside, and of tufa and brick in the interior. The main pedestals were built of marble blocks. The Colosseum consisted of four floors. The first three storeys had high, arched entrances designed with tiers of Ionic, Doric and Corinthian columns.

Q: How did the Colosseum become so popular?
A: The Flavian Amphitheatre became so popular because it provided free, local and spectacular events

Q: How events at Colosseum reflect Roman culture?
A: The attitudes, behavior, beliefs, arts, customs and habits that characterized the Roman society and nation were displayed in the Colosseum via the architecture, decorations and engineering of the building. The seating hierarchy reflected the status of Romans. The events were cruel and became more bloody and lewd as the tastes of the Romans became more extreme towards both people and animals. The re-enacted Roman victories reflected the power and might of Rome

Q: Where does an emperor sit in the Roman Colosseum?
A: The emperor took up a very visible and prominent position. The imperial box was called the pulvinar and was located on the podium (meaning place of honor) astride the centre of the minor axis of the arena on the north side. The podium was a high rectangle platform, forming a sort of terrace, with small stairs on one side and other sides steep. The Podium was about 15ft wide.

Q: Why was the Colosseum round?
A: The emperor took up a very visible and prominent position. The imperial box was called the pulvinar and was located on the podium astride the centre of the minor axis of the arena on the north side. The podium was a high rectangle platform, forming a sort of terrace, with small stairs on one side and other sides steep.

Q: Was the Colosseum the first stone amphitheatre in Rome?
A: No. The first stone amphitheatre in Rome was called Amphitheater of Statilius Taurus. It was built in 29 BC by consul Titus Statilius Taurus in the time of the Emperor Augustus. This amphitheatre was quite small and in order to placate the plebs the Emperor Nero built a much bigger, wooden, amphitheatre called the Amphitheatrum Neronis in 57AD. Both of these amphitheatres were completely destroyed in 64AD due to the Great Fire of Rome.