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The inside of Coliseum
The Flavius amphitheatre is the biggest and most imposing in the Roman world, but is also the most famous monument in Rome and is known as the "Colosseum" or "Coliseum". Started by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavia family, it was opened by his son Titus in 80 A.D.
The highly ostentatious opening ceremony, lasted one hundred days during which people saw great fights, shows and hunts involving the killing of thousands of animals (5000 according to the historian Suetonius). Before the Coliseum was rebuilt (as you see on the picture) the opening of the festivals was amazing. For the opening, the arena space was filled with water for one of the most fantastic events held in Roman times, naumachias – real sea battles reproducing great battles of the past.
Later the more levels were dug, and elevators were built, so that animals, gladiators and new scenery could be put into the arena more rapidly. The sea battles then stopped.
In the back part of the arena, you can now see a space where operas and other activities are held.
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