In 29 BC, Statilius Taurus, a Roman consul, erected a colossal amphitheater in the Field of Mars, being the first of great magnitude in the city and equipped with all the required amenities. However, this building suffered the devastation of the fire of Rome in 64 AD, which gave rise to the urgency of building a new amphitheater for the city.
The Colosseum, a generous gesture by Emperor Vespasian to the people, stood out as a public building where free spectacles were offered. These events included gladiatorial fights, confrontations with wild beasts, reenactments of mythological battles, and mock naval battles, all held outdoors during the day. The seating arrangement was determined by the social hierarchy of ancient Rome: the lower seats reserved for the emperor and senators, while the less desirable places at the top were for slaves, foreigners and women.
The Colosseum was erected as an emblematic monument that exalted the figure of Emperor Vespasian and was created with a clear propagandistic purpose. The construction of this colossal amphitheater began during the reign of Vespasian, approximately between 70 and 72 AD, and was completed in 80 AD under the rule of his son Titus. The site chosen was located on a plain between the hills of Celio, Esquilino and Palatino, through which a channeled stream flowed. This site had been affected by the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, and Nero took advantage of the occasion to appropriate much of the land and build his grandiose residence, the Domus Aurea, which featured an artificial lagoon called Stagnum Neronis, surrounded by lush gardens and porticoes. The Colosseum got its name from the gigantic bronze statue, the Colossus of Nero, which stood near the entrance of the Domus Aurea.
During the reign of Vespasian and his successors, a significant transformation of the surrounding area took place. Although the Colossus was preserved, substantial parts of the Domus Aurea were demolished and the lake was filled in, using the land as the site for the new Flavian Amphitheater. Gladiatorial schools and other related buildings were constructed on the land formerly occupied by the Domus Aurea. According to an inscription found at the site, "Emperor Vespasian ordered this new amphitheater to be erected using his share of the spoils as general." This could refer to the treasure obtained by the Romans after their victory in the First Judeo-Roman War in 70 AD The Colosseum can be considered a monumental memorial, following the tradition of celebrating great victories. Vespasian's choice to build the Colosseum on the site of Nero's lake could be interpreted as a popular gesture to return to the city a part that Nero had claimed exclusively for himself. Unlike many other amphitheaters that were located on the outskirts of the city, such as the Amphitheater Castrense, the Colosseum stood in the heart of Rome, placing it both literally and symbolically at the center of the city.
Between the 5th and 6th centuries, gladiatorial combats and fights with wild animals were forbidden, and in the 13th century, the Colosseum became a fortress. The last documented performance in the Colosseum took place in 523 by order of the Gothic king Theodoric. Subsequently, the amphitheater fell into disuse and parts of its stones, like many other historic structures in the Imperial Forums, were used as quarries for the construction of more modern buildings. It was not until the late 19th century that excavations were carried out that revealed the structure beneath the arena, restoring the Colosseum to its status as a symbol of Rome's greatness.
The Colosseum hosted a wide range of spectacles, including venationes (animal fights), noxii (executions of prisoners by animals) and munera (gladiatorial combats). It is estimated that approximately 200,000 people lost their lives in these games. In addition, naumachiae, spectacular naval battles that required flooding the arena with water, were held. This probably occurred in the early years, before the construction of the subway tunnels under the arena. The Colosseum had an advanced water channeling system that allowed the lower level to be filled and emptied quickly.
The identity of the architect who designed the building remains unknown, which is characteristic of many Roman works, where public constructions were carried out in honor and glory of the emperors. Over time, several names have been put forward as possible architects, including Rabirius, Severus, Gaudentius and even Apollodorus of Damascus, although the latter is known to have arrived in Rome in 105 AD.
When Vespasian died in 79 AD, the Colosseum was already completed up to the third floor. His son Titus finished the upper level and inaugurated the building in 80 A.D. According to Dion Cassius, more than 9,000 wild animals were sacrificed during the inaugural games of the amphitheater. Subsequently, the building underwent renovations under the rule of Domitian, Vespasian's youngest son and newly appointed emperor. During his rule, the hypogeum, subway tunnels that served as housing for animals and slaves, were built, and a gallery was added to the top of the Colosseum to increase its capacity.
In 217, the Colosseum suffered severe damage due to a major fire, presumably caused by a thunderstorm according to Dion Cassius, which destroyed the wooden floor inside the amphitheater. It was not completely repaired until 240, and later renovations were carried out in 250 or 252 and in 320. An inscription states that various parts of the Colosseum were restored by Theodosius II and Valentinian III, who ruled between 425 and 450, possibly to repair damage caused by an earthquake in 443. The arena continued to be used for competitions until at least the 6th century, with records of the last gladiatorial fight around 435, and animal hunting continued until 523.