Entertainment at the Colosseum

The Colosseum was built by Emperors Vespasiana and Titus and was completed in A.D. 80 It was a large stadium which held over fifty thousand people. It's measurements were 188 meters long, 156 meters wide, and 40 meters high, and it had 76 entrances (Connolly 2001, pg 37). The main area was made of a removable wooden floor that was covered with dirt for easy cleanup. Some have suggested that the Romans may have removed the floor and flooded the area for mock naval battles. Under the floor was a set of tunnels and holding places for gladiators and wild animals used for entertainment. Under the floor was a lift system and trapdoors from which people or animals below could enter the arena. When the Colosseum opened, 100 straight days of games were held. The Colosseum was used for large events. For example, in one day, over 5000 animals were killed. An other day over 1000 gladiators fought in a single afternoon (Lewis 1980, pg 48).