The large seating structure inside the Colosseum was organized in gradus, levels destined to the various social classes:

In the most prominent part, the podium, were the most prestigious Roman citizens: senators, magistrates, priests and possibly even the vestals. At the ends of the minor axis were two special boxes: the pulvinar, reserved for the imperial family, and another reserved for the magistrate who occasionally presided over the events. Since this area was closer to the wild beasts, a metal net was installed as a security measure, with strategically positioned archers.

The maenianum primum, intended for aristocrats who were not senators, was subdivided into imum for wealthy citizens and summum for the less fortunate.

At the top was the maenianum summum in ligneis, a wooden structure that probably lacked seats and was reserved for low-income women.

In addition, certain social groups such as tribunes, priests and members of the militia had their own reserved sections.

Access from the aisles to the seats was through the vomitoriums, so called because of their ability to allow the rapid exit of large crowds. They were so well designed that they could evacuate the 50,000 spectators in approximately thirty minutes.