Colosseum comes from the Latin word for really big (colossal). In this case, the huge item is the Roman Colosseum. This structure is massive, but the name Colosseum is not associated with the size of the amphitheater; instead, the Colosseum was named after the enormous bronze statue of Emperor Nero.
Photoblog, Rome, Italy, Europe. April 5, 2025, edited to include nighttime photos.
The Colosseum is a “double” amphitheater surrounding the arena or “playing” field. The word “arena” describes the sand at the floor level. Today, football stadiums use the same design. This “playing” field is a little smaller than a football field.
Nero’s giant statue was erected in the Domus Aurea, Nero’s palace, and was later moved to the vicinity of the Flavian Amphitheatre in Rome. There are other Flavian Amphitheatres, including one near Naples.
The Roman name for the Colosseum is the Flavian Amphitheatre of Rome.
Photos at the Roman Colosseum
The Colosseum recreates part of the arena floor, which extends about 1/3 the way across the arena. Everything above this floor was seating. You can see the design below floor level to the left of the raised platform. This is a view of the upper-level design, where the less expensive seats would have been. These are the remaining brick supports for the seats in the Colosseum. The Romans perfected the arch to create holes in the walls in the Colosseum. These brick arches have been here for 2000 years. A 2000-year-old arch structure below ground level in the Colosseum still stands, supporting the seating area. The underground and seating areas inside the Colosseum. Tami and Scott are standing opposite the rebuilt platform. The seating is above the level of my sunglasses, and the basement is below the arena in the Colosseum.Looking around the remaining structure at the level of the arena. Above the seating, they put shade sails to protect the spectators from the sun. Looking across the structure, these walls held up the arena floor, and the event staff, gladiators, and wild animals occupied the passageways below the arena in the Colosseum. In this photo, we are standing below ground level. Since it was built on previous ruins, if you dig below this level, you will find more artifacts that possibly pre-date the Roman era. I am amazed by the brickwork. Everything above ground level was covered with a layer of marble. Seeing the bricks covered with marble would have been an amazing site.Photo looking up from the lowest level of the basement in the Colosseum. The people at the left center of the image are sanding on the rebuilt arena floor. To the left is a rebuilt post holding up the arena floor. The walls on the left of the photo supported the original arena floor. Looking at the reconstructed arena floor in the Colosseum and out across the interior passageways. If you take the underground tour, you can see one of the gladiator armored suits. The Colosseum at night is very impressive. We made a special trip across town to see it. We got on a packed bus during our return trip, and I kept my hand on my wallet for the entire trip home. Falling wasn’t an option; there wasn’t enough room. After we left Rome, we learned that that bus had the nickname of the Pickpocket Express. This photo includes the moon in this picture. I tried to be creative when I took the image, but if I zoomed in on the moon, it looked like any other building. I almost missed this nighttime shot because of the trees. Overall, I am very pleased with it.
The Colosseum is at the east end of the Roman Forum. Here is a link to that article. The Roman Forum
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These photos were taken during our visit. Our photos are often “enhanced” to represent what we saw in person and correct for lighting and other things. Sometimes, this editing makes the images look better than what we saw in person.
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2 thoughts on “The Roman Colosseum”
John Nejedlo
As always, awesome story telling and great images.
As always, awesome story telling and great images.
Who needs a tour guide when we have you? You are taking us on a great adventure. Many of us will never see any of this in person. Thank you.